The use of animals in research

Mankind has been using animals already for a long time for food, for transport and as a companion. The use of animals in experimental research parallels the development of medicine, which had its roots in ancient Greece (Aristotle, Hippocrate). With the Cartesian philosophy in the 17^th century, experiments on animals could be performed without great moral problems. the discovery of anaesthetics and Darwin`s publication on the Origin of Species, defending the biological similarities between man and animal, contributed to the increase of animal experimentation. Animal experiments are considered acceptable only if the benefit of the proposed experiment outweighs the suffering of the animals. Ethical review of animal experiments will likely benefit the animal and improve the quality of animal-based research.