Can computer models replace animal testing?

From New Scientist:

Can computer models replace animal testing? 

13 May 2006

Celeste Biever 

Magazine issue 2551

AS THE public debate rages over the use of animals in drug development, a change is taking place in labs across the world. The first realistic software models of human and animal organs are starting to emerge - potentially replacing some of the 50 to 100 million animals used each year for scientific research. 

The first models of how the heart works were built decades ago (New Scientist, 20 March 1999, p 24), but they are much more sophisticated now. The models couple mechanical contractions to electrical waves in three dimensions, for instance, to show thousands of molecular interactions and connect the heart to a virtual circulatory system. Models of other organs, including the lung, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, skin, kidney, lymphatic system and brain are also under construction. 

Their purpose is to observe and manipulate physiological processes to an extent that might not be possible or financially viable in ...

This is one of the areas of medical informatics that fascinates me most. I remember I wrote an article on it already back in 2002.

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