Animal Testing: Why It Matters in Research

Animal testing plays a central role in medical research. It helps to better understand diseases and to develop safe medications. In Switzerland, the use of animal testing is strictly regulated. The Animal Welfare Act only allows animal testing if no alternatives exist for the given question and requires that the burden on animals be kept as low as possible.

Why is animal testing conducted?

Many medical advances—from cancer therapy research and blood pressure medications to vaccine development—have relied on animal testing. These tests were used to assess the effectiveness and safety of new substances before they were tested on humans.

Here are a few examples of life-saving medications developed thanks to animal testing:

Insulin was first developed through testing on dogs and saves millions of people with diabetes.
Antibiotics were researched using mice and are essential for treating bacterial infections.
COVID-19 vaccines were tested on primates, among others, to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

However, not all animal testing is directly related to drug development. Basic research helps to understand biological processes in both healthy and diseased bodies—knowledge that can lead to breakthroughs in the long term.

Are there alternatives to animal testing?

Alternative methods to animal testing are being continuously researched. Scientists are increasingly using computer models, cell cultures, and 3D organoids. These methods can replace many animal tests but are often not yet complex enough for all research questions.

Switzerland follows the 3R principle:

Replace: Avoid animal testing when alternatives are available.
Reduce: Limit the number of test animals to the necessary minimum.
Refine: Design tests so that animals suffer as little as possible.

Many experiments are already conducted using alternative methods:

Cell cultures for cancer research
Computer simulations for drug analysis
Organoids – lab-grown mini-organs
Organ-on-chip models

Legislation is also increasingly moving toward alternative methods. In the U.S., for example, the "FDA Modernization Act 2.0" was signed in 2022, which revokes the mandatory animal testing requirement for drug development.

Why are primates used in research?

In rare cases, animal testing with primates is necessary, such as in neurobiology or vaccine development. Primates are biologically very similar to humans, which is essential for studying brain diseases, the immune system, or viral infections.

Some examples where primates have been used in research and development:

Parkinson's therapies
Vaccines against polio, hepatitis B & yellow fever

Strict Approval & Oversight

Switzerland has one of the strictest regulations for animal testing worldwide. Every test must be applied for, justified, and approved by authorities. Researchers must prove that there are no adequate alternatives for the planned studies. Independent experts then review the application and weigh the benefits against the animals' burden.