In toxicology, several alternative methods have been developed to replace animal testing:
- In Vitro Methods: These involve testing on cell or tissue cultures rather than whole animals. For instance, tests like the Ames test for mutagenicity use bacteria to identify potential carcinogens.
- Computer Modeling: Computational toxicology uses modeling techniques to predict chemical toxicity. These models can simulate human metabolism and predict toxicokinetic behaviors.
- Organ-on-a-Chip: Advanced technology that mimics human organs on microchips, allowing researchers to study biological responses without using animals.