The professionals involved in animal-based research often see their animal models like a gold standard to which any new method that would not make use of animals, must be compared, matched or must be better. How to compare objectively an "alternative" to a standard animal protocol that is likely to be flawed because it has never been scientifically validated?

An alternative means a method, another way to replace an older method that has at least an equal value. If scientists go by this definition, it is very unlikely to find any substantial and comparable one, given that animal models lack the three types of validity relevant to human pathologies (i.e. face, predictive and construct validity). What is important is to find the best research tools that closely resemble the human model (i.e. isomorphy and homology).

Human tissue surplus for research is needed; there is a need for human-based systems because they are the most relevant
to the study of human diseases. To do that we need to do four things:

1) Create structures within hospitals and clinics that would ease the collection of human tissue for research, harmonization
of collaborations between researchers and clinicians. We can create new jobs in this field, such as coordinators, etc.
The use of adult human stem cells instead of embryonic tissue offers a promising avenue.

2) Create tissue banks for the registry, collection, storage, and distribution of tissue in major cities. If one thinks that research is valuable to society, then it becomes compelling to fund the best methods. This trend has slowly emerged in the USA and in Europe more proactive on this issue.

3) Create an 'out-system' in which it is presumed, under the proper legislation, that anyone is a tissue donor unless he or she registers an objection to donation. This legislation already exists in other countries like Belgium and Spain and not surprisingly collection of tissue has dramatically increased.

4) Available new in vitro methods, those on the verge of being validated must be used, developed and supported. While finding the best methods to find treatments and cures, we would stop the needless massacre of millions of animals without putting the health of people at risk.

5) Educate the public; unfortunately a fraction of the public refuses to donate organs, tissues, cells or object to the donation of their loved ones' body parts for research purposes, when they pass away. This is a sensitive issue. However, donation is a good for the benefit of others, and someday our children will be able to live longer and more importantly better because diseases will be finally studied using the appropriate materials. Education is crucial to overcome the fears and the prejudices attached to donation and there are ways to facilitate this process. Donation is a noble and humanistic gift and must be actively encouraged.

It is crucial that the general public becomes increasingly familiar with the issues of informed consent and tissue donation. We need to be aware of the potential of in vitro research.

In fact, human-based research, prevention and new technologies are the among the best options available to better public health and safety.