Introduction

Researchers are constantly trying to develop new cures and treatments to help people and animals suffering from health problems.

Scientists must follow a specific process to make sure new products and medical procedures are safe for humans and animals. This process can often many years, or even decades to complete.

Step 1: Computer Modeling

Before a research program can begin, scientists review past research studies available in books, science journals, and on the Internet to prepare a research proposal, a document that explains the goals of their research and describes what methods will be used to accomplish these goals.

Scientists often input information they've gathered from past experiments into a computer program to predict what will happen in future steps of the research process. This is called computer modeling.

Step 2: In Vitro Research

In vitro (Latin for "in glass") studies use cell cultures, isolated tissues and organs to discover how potential remedies will interact with cells and tissues.

Such studies often use cells or tissues from living organisms such as a plant, a person or another animal. These studies may include an assortment of living systems, including bacteria, animal cells, fertilized chicken eggs or frog embryos, to name a few.

Step 3: Animal Research

Even the most sophisticated computer models and in vitro studies cannot mimic the complicated interactions occurring among cells, tissues, and organs in a living body.

Scientists conduct research on laboratory animals because animals have organs and body systems similar to humans and are often susceptible to the same diseases we are. Animal research helps researchers:

• close knowledge gaps about health and disease in both humans and animals.
• answer questions that cannot be determined using computer models or in vitro studies.
• design experiments to test new treatments on people.

Through the similarities between humans and laboratory animals, scientists continue to learn more about our bodies and how they work. Researchers apply this knowledge to help humans, our pets, and other animals.

Step 4: Human Clinical Trials

Once animal testing is complete, a product or procedure is tested on human volunteers who understand the benefits and risks of being part of this type of test. These tests are known as clinical trials.

Clinical trials can only take place after the other steps of the research process are completed successfully, including experiments involving animals.

Clinical trials allow scientists to confirm the results of previous research studies and be absolutely sure their product is safe for the general public to use with confidence.