ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 25, Number 3

In vitro tets in pharmacotoxicology: can we fill the gap between scientific advances and industrial needs?.

ATLA 25, 339-340, May/June 1997

Ravi Shrivastava

VITRO-BID, Biopôle Clermont Limagne, 63360 St Beauzire, France

SUMMARY

The use of in vitro alternatives in pharmacotoxicological research has been a subject of continuous discussion among scientists, regulatory authorities and animal protection groups. Despite the fact that the validity and reliability of different in vitro models for replacing whole-animal experimentation have been scientifically proved, the routine use of in vitro tests remains limited. In the current industrial economic climate, I believe that, despite the simplicity and the predictive powers of the proposed in vitro models, the unfavourable cost:benefit ratio of some of these tests will remain an important barrier to the universal acceptance of in vitro alternatives.

Keywords: pharmacotoxicology, in vitro, in vivo, cost:benefit ratio, acceptance