The socio-political aspects of the alternatives concept in research and toxicity testing is discussed, primarily from a US perspective. A history of the alternatives concept is provided, describing some of the events which occurred in Europe and the UK in the 1970s/1980s. British Home Office statistics on animal use, showing its decline from 1976, are included. The recent history of the debate over the alternatives concept in the US is discussed, including Congressional action, NIH attitudes, and the Draize campaign. Current attitudes toward alternatives in the US, and the issues surrounding their adoption and use in toxicity testing and in biomedical research, are presented.
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