LOS ANGELES, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Tuesday a major new initiative aimed at advancing human-based research methods while reducing reliance on animal testing.
While traditional animal models remain essential to scientific progress, the NIH emphasized that emerging technologies offer unique capabilities that, when used alone or alongside animal studies, can empower researchers to tackle complex biomedical questions that were previously difficult or impossible to address.
"For decades, our biomedical research system has relied heavily on animal models. With this initiative, NIH is ushering in a new era of innovation," said NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. "By integrating advances in data science and technology with our growing understanding of human biology, we can fundamentally reimagine the way research is conducted - from clinical development to real-world application."
According to the NIH, cutting-edge tools such as organoids, tissue chips, and other in vitro systems enable scientists to model human diseases with greater precision and account for individual variability. Computational models are also playing a growing role, simulating complex biological systems, disease mechanisms, and drug responses. Additionally, the use of real-world data allows for analysis of health outcomes across communities and populations.
These approaches hold the promise of producing more replicable, translatable, and efficient research results, ultimately enhancing the scientific process while reducing the need for animal testing, said the NIH.
