Alternatives to Animal Use and Testing in Breast Cancer Research

Abstract

While animals have played a key role in scientific research for many years, there are limits to the knowledge that can be gained through this model. Recently, alternatives to animal use were created as models for human cancer research. This thesis discusses the current uses of animals in breast cancer research and what has been learned from them, as well as the alternatives that are becoming increasingly available. The drawbacks of both animal use and alternatives were discussed and how these affect breast cancer research. Alternatives were found to be functional in breast cancer research and in many cases even more reliable than the animal models.