Frequently Asked Questions

Biomedical research is scientific study aimed at understanding how living organisms work, how diseases develop, and how we can prevent or treat illness. This research encompasses everything from basic laboratory studies of cells and molecules to clinical trials testing new treatments in humans. It’s the foundation upon which modern medicine is built, giving us vaccines, surgical techniques, and therapies that save millions of lives each year.

Living organisms are remarkably complex. Organs communicate with one another, the immune system responds to changes throughout the body, hormones and metabolism operate on feedback loops, and every system adjusts in real time. Even the most advanced laboratory methods cannot fully replicate all of these interactions working together. Animal research provides essential insights into whole-body biology that cannot yet be obtained any other way, and is often required by law before new treatments can be tested in humans.

Nearly every medical treatment we rely on today has roots in biomedical research: vaccines for polio, measles, and COVID-19; insulin for diabetes; antibiotics for bacterial infections; chemotherapy for cancer; organ transplant procedures; and countless surgical techniques. It has led to HIV treatments that turned a fatal infection into a manageable condition, and to gene therapies that can restore sight and, in newly approved treatments, hearing. Work continues today on diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Research has also improved veterinary medicine, helping pets and wildlife alike.

The vast majority of animals used in biomedical research are mice and rats, accounting for approximately 95% of all research animals. Other commonly used species include zebrafish, which are valuable for genetic studies due to their transparent embryos, and fruit flies and roundworms for basic biological research. Larger animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds make up a smaller percentage. Monkeys represent less than half a percent of research animals and are used only when no alternative model can answer critical questions about human health, such as in vaccine development or neurological research.

Monkeys are used only when their close biological and genetic similarity to humans makes them the one model that can give accurate results. That is why their use is limited to areas like neurological disease, reproductive health, and HIV research, where no other method can answer the question safely.

No. Under the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011, apes are not used in biomedical research. They only participate in some non-invasive behavioral studies.

Trained veterinary specialists are responsible for the health of every animal. Federal law and accreditation standards require species-appropriate housing, companions to live with, enrichment, and regular checks for signs of distress. Pain relief is required for any procedure that could cause discomfort. Some facilities even have their own behavior specialist or team of behavior technicians whose focus is on the animals’ welfare and psychological well-being.

There are various independent levels of oversight in biomedical animal research. Every study must pass scientific peer review and be approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which includes veterinarians, scientists, and community members from outside the institution. The USDA performs unannounced inspections under the Animal Welfare Act. Many institutions also earn voluntary AAALAC International accreditation, and the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) can suspend funding when rules are broken. Additionally, multiple federal laws and regulations protect research animals, including the Animal Welfare Act, the Health Research Extension Act, and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

The 3Rs are Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Replacement means using a non-animal method whenever one can answer the question. Reduction means using no more animals than the science requires. Refinement means taking every step to minimize pain or distress. Researchers must address all three before any study is approved. Our deep dive on the 3Rs explains each one in more detail.

Yes. Findings are published in peer-reviewed journals, where independent scientists review them before release. Inspection reports are public records, and many institutions post their USDA reports online. Institutions are also subject to public records requests under federal and state law.

NAMs are newer research methods that do not use animals, such as cell cultures, lab-grown mini-organs called organoids, organ-on-a-chip devices, and computer modeling. They are promising and growing fast. We see NAMs and animal research as partners. NAMs reduce the number of animals needed, and animal studies provide NAMs with the real-world benchmarks they need to improve. For example, ONPRC researchers have paired a lab-grown cell model with a primate model to test a new approach to contraception.

New tools like cell cultures, computer models, and AI are valuable, and scientists use them every day. But none of them can yet copy everything that happens inside a living body. Cells, tissues, and organs work together in ways we do not fully understand, so for many diseases, an animal model is still the only way to get a reliable answer. The FDA also requires animal studies for safety before certain treatments can be tested in people.

Not yet. While NAMs are powerful tools that continue to advance rapidly, they cannot fully replicate the complexity of living biological systems. Current NAMs work alongside animal studies to provide more complete answers. The goal of reducing animal use is widely shared, but getting there responsibly requires careful validation. NAMs themselves often need to be validated against animal data to confirm they reliably predict real-world outcomes.

Oregon researchers have contributed to NAMs development for over a decade. Their work includes trophoblast organoids modeling placental development, 3D follicle culture systems for ovarian biology, conditionally reprogrammed cell cultures, induced pluripotent stem cell lines for disease modeling, and computational tissue databases shared with the global research community.

Oregon Voices for Biomedical Research is a coalition of veterinarians, scientists, healthcare professionals, patients, and concerned Oregonians dedicated to protecting biomedical research in Oregon. We advance public understanding of ethical biomedical research and its role in improving human and animal health through education, community engagement, and transparent communication.

Oregon has been a national leader in biomedical research for more than 60 years, much of it at OHSU and the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). This work develops vaccines and treatments for diseases that affect Oregon families, and it supports jobs and economic activity across the state.

The ONPRC is at risk of closure, driven by political pressure from the current federal administration and a coordinated misinformation campaign from groups that oppose all animal research. You can learn what is at stake and how to help on our Save the ONPRC page.

The most powerful thing you can do is contact your representatives and ask them to protect Oregon’s research. You can also share accurate information with people you know or support our work through a tax deductible donation.

You can reach us through the contact form on our website. Media inquiries can be sent directly to media@savescienceoregon.org. We welcome questions from community members, educators, researchers, and anyone interested in learning more about biomedical research.