Animal research is the study of animals in order to gain knowledge about various fields, such as medicine and biology. The spelling of the word "animal research" can be broken down into its phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /ˈænɪməl rɪˈsɜrtʃ/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short vowel sound /æ/, followed by the consonant /n/ and the vowel /ɪ/. The second word is pronounced with a stressed vowel sound /ɜr/ and ends with the sound /tʃ/.
Animal research refers to the systematic investigation and examination conducted on non-human organisms, known as animals, in order to gain scientific knowledge, answer specific questions, and contribute to various fields of study such as biology, medicine, psychology, and veterinary science. It involves the careful observation, manipulation, and experimentation on animals to understand their anatomy, physiology, behavior, and the effects of substances or treatments on their overall well-being.
The main objective of animal research is to improve human and animal health, enhance the understanding of diseases, develop new drugs or treatments, study efficacy and safety of medical interventions, and advance scientific knowledge in general. Animals used in experiments can range from simple organisms like drosophila flies or bacteria to more complex models such as mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, and non-human primates.
Animal research is subject to ethical considerations, legal frameworks, and regulatory guidelines to ensure the wellbeing and humane treatment of animals involved. It involves efforts to minimize pain, distress, or discomfort to the animals, with strict adherence to the principles of the Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Replacement refers to developing alternative methods that do not require the use of animals, reduction aims to minimize the number of animals used, and refinement is focused on improving experimental protocols to mitigate suffering.
While animal research has contributed significantly to scientific advancements, it remains a topic of debate due to ethical concerns regarding animal welfare. Striking a balance between the need for scientific progress and protecting animal rights and wellbeing remains a complex and ongoing societal challenge.
The word "animal" comes from the Latin word "animalis" which means "animate, living being". It is derived from the Latin word "anima" meaning "breath, soul, life".
The word "research" comes from the Middle French word "recherche", which means "inquiry, search" and is derived from the Old French word "recerchier" meaning "seek out, search closely". It ultimately traces back to the Latin word "re-cherchare" combining "re-" meaning "again, back" and "cherchare" meaning "to search".
When combined, "animal research" refers to the scientific investigation or inquiry conducted on living beings, particularly animals, in order to gain knowledge or understanding about their biology, behavior, diseases, and other related aspects.