Common Myths

A number of myths about animal research emanate from misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, assumptions, or even from acts of active mischaracterization and deliberate disinformation.

Myth: Animal research makes no sense because humans and animals are too different.

Reality: While differences do exist, biologic and physiologic similarities between humans and animals abound. We share 98 percent of our human DNA with mice, for example. This is why many animals suffer diseases that mimic human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular illness, epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis, and more. Because of these similarities, many lifesaving and life-altering advances both in human and veterinary medicine simply would have not been possible without animal research.

Myth: Animal research is frivolous because other options exist, and scientists don’t really need to use animals.

Reality: While scientists are always looking for non-animal alternatives, the reality is that certain diseases, pathological processes, and possible treatments can be studied only in animals. In such cases, animals are irreplaceable. Scientists everywhere are doing their best to identify alternatives when possible and use animals only as an option of last resort.

In accordance with the core concepts of animal welfare, scientists at HMS aim to minimize the use of animal models by following these three principles:

  • Replace. When researchers can achieve their objective with “reasonably available” non-animal or in vitro models, they should use the alternative.
  • Reduce. Researchers should minimize as much as possible the number of animals they use, consistent with sound scientific and statistical standards.
  • Refine. When they do study animals, researchers should use procedures that have the least potential for distress and harm, such as minimally invasive surgery, within the framework of the project.

Myth: Animal research is loosely governed and not taken very seriously by institutions and researchers conducting animal studies.

Reality: Animal research is governed by a complex set of federal and state rules and implemented through the oversight of an institutional committee that includes federal government officials, scientists, a veterinarian, and animal-care staff. HMS promotes the highest standards of animal care and use and expects all individuals privileged to use animals in research to treat them humanely and with the utmost respect and concern for their physical well-being, in full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws as well as with the ethical principles of animal care.

Myth: Researchers put results ahead of animal welfare.

Reality: In an ideal world, scientists would prefer to never use animals for their work. Scientists care deeply about animal life and welfare and use animal models for their work as an option of last resort. In keeping with the principle of replacing, reducing, and refining the use of animals whenever possible, scientists usually resort to animal research only when alternatives do not exist. In fact, researchers must demonstrate that there is no other viable option before they are granted permission to use animals for their studies. When permission is granted, animal welfare is paramount, and research is rigorously monitored, subject to established regulations and procedures designed to minimize discomfort to animals. Labs are expected to notify the IACUC, HMS’s standing governing body for animal testing, of any unforeseen event that may negatively impact the welfare of research animals.

Myth: When issues arise with animal research, no one can really do much about it.

Reality: Academic research institutions, including HMS, treat these matters with utmost urgency. They maintain a hotline for reporting concerns or unanticipated reactions in animals or outcomes in experiments. The School conducts investigations of any cases that may involve regulatory noncompliance. Concerns can be reported anonymously. In addition, potential concerns and violations must be reported to the respective federal authorities.

Myth: Dogs, cats, and monkeys are the most commonly used animals in biomedical research.

Reality: The vast majority of animal models used at HMS are fruit flies, worms, frogs, fish, and mice. In terms of warm-blooded laboratory animals, roughly 95 percent of those used in medical research conducted in the United States are rodents. A small fraction of animal research involves other species — hamsters, pigs, dogs, cats, and, even more rarely, non-human primates — only when they are the best models to study certain diseases. Overall, non-human primates represent less than 1 percent of all warm-blooded laboratory animals used in the United States, according to the National Association for Biomedical Research.

At Harvard Medical School, an exceedingly tiny fraction — less than 0.1 percent — of animal research involves non-human primates.

Myth: Research animals are intentionally kept in pain.

Reality: The opposite is true. Researchers work to minimize and eliminate discomfort whenever possible, not only because of ethical and legal requirements, but also because pain and stress can interfere with the validity of test results and can impact the reliability of an experiment and the ultimate findings of a study. Thus, poor animal care can mean unreliable research results. To enhance the validity of research findings, animal participants must be healthy, in good condition, and free from undue stress and discomfort.

Myth: Only people benefit from animal research.

Reality: Humans share many biological and physiological characteristics with animals, and most biomedical research in lab animals advances veterinary and human medicine. Animal research has spurred advances in veterinary medicine, benefiting both pets and wild animals. Many diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, neurologic conditions such as epilepsy, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, affect both animals and humans. Vaccines and antibiotics developed in part from animal studies are used to treat and benefit humans and animals. Thanks to animal research, some diseases and disorders are becoming more manageable and less fatal both for people and for animals.