Foreword 
With an estimated 17 million to 22 million animals used in laboratories annually in 
the United States, public interest in animal welfare has sparked an often emotional de- 
bate over such uses of animals . Concerns focus on balancing societal needs for continued 
progress in biomedical and behavioral research, for toxicity testing to safeguard the pub- 
lic, and for education in the life sciences with desires to replace, reduce, and refine the 
use of laboratory animals. In 1985, Congress enacted three laws that dealt with labora- 
tory animals, including amendments to the Animal Welfare Act. 
In this assessment, OTA analyzes the scientific, regulatory, economic, legal, and ethical 
considerations involved in alternative technologies in biomedical and behavioral research, 
toxicity testing, and education. Included is a detailed examination of Federal, State, and 
institutional regulation of animal use, and a review of recent developments in 10 other 
countries. The report was requested by Sen. Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Com- 
mittee on Labor and Human Resources. 
The report illustrates a range of options for congressional action in seven principal 
areas of public policy regarding animals: using existing alternatives, developing new alter- 
natives, disseminating research and testing information, restricting animal use, count- 
ing the numbers and kinds of animals used, establishing a uniform policy for animal 
use within Federal agencies, and amending the Animal Welfare Act. 
OTA was assisted in preparing this study by an advisory panel of individuals and 
reviewers selected for their expertise and diverse points of view on the issues covered 
in the assessment. Advisory panelists and reviewers were drawn from animal welfare 
groups, industrial testing laboratories, medical and veterinary schools, Federal regula- 
tory agencies, scientific societies, academia, and the citizenry at large— in short, from 
representatives of all parties interested in laboratory -animal use and its alternatives. Written 
comments were received from 144 reviewers on the penultimate draft of the assess- 
ment. In addition, at the study's inception, OTA solicited information and opinions from 
more than 600 interested groups and individuals. 
OTA gratefully acknowledges the contribution of each of these individuals. As with 
all OTA reports, responsibility for the content of the assessment is OTA's alone. The 
assessment does not necessarily constitute the consensus or endorsement of the advi- 
sory panel or the Technology Assessment Board. 
<3 
JOHN H. GIBBONS 
Director 
