Refining alternative animal models in Biomedical Research: Review

In recent years, interest in alternative methods to animal toxicity testing has grown, due to ethical concerns and limitations of traditional animal models. These new approaches aim to reduce animal suffering, while providing more accurate insights into human health. Advanced cell cultures and tissue engineering now enable the creation of 3D cell cultures and engineered tissues that closely replicate human physiological responses, offering more reliable data on how substances affect the body. Artificial intelligence (AI) and computational modelling have further advanced toxicity prediction, making it faster and more cost-effective. By analyzing large datasets to identify patterns, AI improves forecasts of chemical interactions with human systems. Organ-on-a-chip technology represents another significant development, utilizing human cells to create miniature models that mimic the functions of organs such as the liver, lungs, or heart. This allows researchers to study how substances affect the multiple organ systems simultaneously. Collectively, these human-based technologies address ethical issues, improve accuracy and enhance efficiency in toxicity testing. Moving away from animal models, these innovative approaches promises safer, more effective products for biological sciences, ultimately benefiting both human health and the environment.