What is non-animal research?

At the start of the 21st Century, non-animal techniques have become the cutting edge of medical research. Animal experiments are being replaced by a range of non-animal alternative methods that frequently prove cheaper, quicker and more effective - as well as saving lives.

Cell Culture

Human cells and tissues are obtained from biopsies, post-mortems, placentas, or as waste from surgery, and can be grown in the laboratory. Cell cultures are used in many medical fields, and have contributed enormously to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cancer, Parkinson's disease, and AIDS. Cell cultures are routinely used in vaccine production, toxicity testing, drug development and to diagnose disease.

It is important that human cells, rather than animal cells, are used for medical research, to avoid the problems inherent in extrapolating results from one species to another. To encourage the use of human tissue the Dr Hadwen Trust helped establish the UK Human Tissue Bank at De Montfort University in Leicester. We have also funded research using human cells and tissues to replace animal experiments into Alzheimer's disease, cancer, rheumatism, cataracts, allergies, meningitis and more.

Molecular Methods

Technological advances are resulting in new and improved molecular methods for analysing and identifying new compounds and medicines. The Dr Hadwen Trust has provided analytical equipment to researchers selecting new anti-cancer and anti-malaria drugs, based on their molecular interaction with DNA, to replace selecting drugs by animal tests.

Research at the molecular level is being used to understand the biochemistry and genetics underlying various illnesses, to develop better treatments. A Dr Hadwen Trust researcher is using gene microarray technology to identify changing gene activity in cells from patients with chronic leg ulcers. This approach will help explain why these wounds fail to heal, and could replace painful experiments on animals such as rabbits, pigs and hamsters.

Micro-organisms

Tests with simple micro-organisms, such as bacteria and yeasts, are being used as early indicators of chemicals likely to be harmful, and are frequently faster, cheaper and more humane than animal tests. Bacteria can be genetically manipulated to manufacture useful products previously obtained from animals, such as human insulin and monoclonal antibodies.

The Dr Hadwen Trust's research into diabetes successfully used a microscopic organism called Hydra, as an alternative to (artificially induced) diabetic animals. Whilst another Dr Hadwen Trust researcher has developed a test-tube method of growing the microbes responsible for causing sleeping sickness, a fatal tropical illness, which replaces the mice normally used for research into this disease.

Computer Models

Computers are increasingly being used to model the structure and actions of new drugs, and to predict their safety. Computer models of whole biological systems are now being developed on which ‘virtual’ experiments can be conducted, instead of experiments on animals.

The Dr Hadwen Trust has funded research on various computer models including a model of the human placenta and fetus to study problems affecting unborn babies; and a model of the human jaw and teeth for dental research. These models are based on relevant human data and can be used to carry out simulated experiments, in place of experiments on animals. We have also supported work using mathematical modeling to improve cancer treatments, and to explore illnesses of ageing.

Population Research

Studying diseases in human populations, and the effects of lifestyle, genes, diet and occupation, has already revealed a great deal about cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and birth defects. Such information is vital to improving human health and providing clues to the causes of illnesses. The Dr Hadwen Trust funded a population study into how fetal and infant growth influences the development of heart disease in later life, to replace experiments on pregnant animals.

Volunteer Studies

One of the best ways to conduct medical research is by studying the whole human being. New analysis and imaging techniques are making it increasingly possible to conduct safe and ethical studies of human volunteers, where previously animals had been used.

Dr Hadwen Trust projects use a variety of sophisticated imaging techniques to non-invasively investigate the intact human body. These include using a MEG scanner to study epileptic patients and drug effects on the brain; investigating pain in patients using fMRI; developing a novel technique, TMS, to study the function of the human brain in healthy volunteers; and understanding human brain circuitry using a new approach called diffusion tensor imaging.