Bioethics: a look at animal testing in medicine and cosmetics in the UK

Gene modification and basic research in biological systems account for significant portions of animal testing in medical research. Regulatory testing and translation research also play important roles. Animal testing in cosmetics involves toxicity, irritation, and gene mutation testing. While some argue that animal testing is necessary for medical research, others advocate for alternatives such as computer simulations, stem cells, biochips, and 3D images. The use of animals in cosmetics testing is highly limited due to the availability of alternative sources.