Ethical considerations in toxicology

Since most of the research necessary for the safety evaluation of chemicals requires the killing of laboratory animals, toxicologists are faced with an ethical conflict between their professional duties and the interests of the animals. In the past, the protection of consumers against chemical injury was considered to be of the greatest importance, and society approved of all efforts to detect even the slightest hazards from man-made and environmental chemicals. In recent years, toxicologists have become aware of their ethical responsibilities not only for the safety of the human population but also for the welfare of the animals. They have begun to review the classical toxicological procedures critically and now require that the maximum amount of relevant information is obtained from the smallest number of laboratory animals. Toxicologists have also become aware of the alternative methods that permit the investigation of toxicological responses in unicellular organisms and cell cultures. The problem of testing chemicals for irritant properties on skin and mucous membranes is an excellent example of how concern for animals has generated a range of original and imaginative research leading not only to a reduction in the use of animals but also to a more efficient and scientific approach to an important health problem.