Research should be designed with these facts in mind. Alternatives to Animal Use Researchers should replace animals with in vitro or computer models when possible. Law mandates that researchers document the source and keywords used to search for alternatives to the use of intact animals. Species Justification Doing research on animals when the objectives can be reached with a less sentient animal also unnecessarily burdens animals. Researchers should replace vertebrate animals with less sentient animals in their research design when possible.
Regulations require that researchers refine experiments to minimize pain and distress.
This is accomplished by requiring researchers to classify all animal usage in terms of amount of pain and distress and, for animals that fall into a particular classification, to justify subjecting them to pain and distress. The first step is to understand the meaning of pain and distress so that animal use can be classified. Associated distress may be relieved with tranquilizers. Acute distress can be relieved with tranquilizers. More sustained distress requires environmental change and behavioral conditioning.