Podcast
Questions and Answers
Most people would want their substances to be used on as few ______ or no animals as possible.
Most people would want their substances to be used on as few ______ or no animals as possible.
animals
Medicines which are safe for ______ might not be safe for humans.
Medicines which are safe for ______ might not be safe for humans.
animals
AI is helping to make the task of ensuring safety less ______.
AI is helping to make the task of ensuring safety less ______.
difficult
Medical animal testing may save human lives, but many view it as ______ for the animal.
Medical animal testing may save human lives, but many view it as ______ for the animal.
AI is good at analyzing mountains and mountains of ______.
AI is good at analyzing mountains and mountains of ______.
There is a staggering number of ______ being invented all of the time.
There is a staggering number of ______ being invented all of the time.
When determining a chemical's safety, there is a huge amount of ______ data to wade through.
When determining a chemical's safety, there is a huge amount of ______ data to wade through.
AI can process huge amounts of ______.
AI can process huge amounts of ______.
Animal testing is when living animals are used in scientiEc ______ to End out how eFective a new medicine is.
Animal testing is when living animals are used in scientiEc ______ to End out how eFective a new medicine is.
Scientists in favour of animal testing argue that it shows whether medicines are ______ or dangerous for humans.
Scientists in favour of animal testing argue that it shows whether medicines are ______ or dangerous for humans.
Under British law, medicines must be tested on two diFerent types of ______, usually starting with rats, mice or guinea pigs.
Under British law, medicines must be tested on two diFerent types of ______, usually starting with rats, mice or guinea pigs.
In everyday English, the term human ______ can be used to mean the Erst people to have something tested on them.
In everyday English, the term human ______ can be used to mean the Erst people to have something tested on them.
AI could help reduce the need for scientiEc testing on ______.
AI could help reduce the need for scientiEc testing on ______.
Christine Rowe explains that you can't necessarily predict from a mouse or a ______ what's going to happen in a human.
Christine Rowe explains that you can't necessarily predict from a mouse or a ______ what's going to happen in a human.
Substances that have proven to be toxic in animals have been proven to be ______ in humans and vice versa.
Substances that have proven to be toxic in animals have been proven to be ______ in humans and vice versa.
There are also of course animal welfare ______ to animal testing.
There are also of course animal welfare ______ to animal testing.
The amount of new chemicals keeps growing as new ______ are invented.
The amount of new chemicals keeps growing as new ______ are invented.
Christine uses the phrase, 'on top of that,' meaning in ______ to something.
Christine uses the phrase, 'on top of that,' meaning in ______ to something.
With AI, testing on ______ could one day stop.
With AI, testing on ______ could one day stop.
AI is not the whole ______; it's not a complete description of something.
AI is not the whole ______; it's not a complete description of something.
A commonly used medicine which is safe for humans but harmful to ______ is aspirin.
A commonly used medicine which is safe for humans but harmful to ______ is aspirin.
The phrase vice versa is used to indicate that the opposite of what you have just said is also ______.
The phrase vice versa is used to indicate that the opposite of what you have just said is also ______.
To thread the needle describes a task which requires extreme skill and ______ to do successfully.
To thread the needle describes a task which requires extreme skill and ______ to do successfully.
If you wade through something, you spend a lot of time and effort doing something ______ or difficult.
If you wade through something, you spend a lot of time and effort doing something ______ or difficult.
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Study Notes
Animal Testing Overview
- Animal testing involves using living animals to assess the safety and efficacy of new medicines and products.
- Proponents argue it is essential for determining human safety and has contributed to saving lives.
- Critics highlight ethical concerns, claiming it is cruel and often ineffective due to differences between animals and humans.
Legal Framework in the UK
- British law requires that new medicines be tested on at least two different animal types, typically starting with rodents or guinea pigs.
The Role of AI in Animal Testing
- Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) may reduce the necessity for animal testing.
- AI can analyze vast amounts of data, including toxicology studies, to predict human safety without animal involvement.
- AI’s ability to process data quickly is beneficial as the number of newly invented chemicals continues to grow.
Limitations of Animal Testing
- Animal testing cannot reliably predict human outcomes; substances toxic to animals may not affect humans and vice versa.
- Ethical concerns about animal welfare persist, with many people preferring alternatives that minimize or eliminate animal involvement.
Insights from Science Journalist Christine Rowe
- Rowe emphasizes the complexity of predicting human reactions based on animal testing.
- AI is seen as a valuable tool in navigating the extensive data related to chemical safety and medicine testing.
- The phrase "to thread the needle" is used to describe the challenge of balancing the need for safety with ethical considerations in testing.
Vocabulary and Key Phrases
- Human guinea pigs: Refers to the first individuals tested with a new drug or product.
- Vice versa: Indicates that the opposite statement is also true.
- To thread the needle: Describes tasks requiring significant skill and precision, especially in conflicting circumstances.
- The whole picture: A comprehensive understanding that includes all relevant information and perspectives.
- Wade through: To engage in a difficult or tedious process, often involving extensive reading or data analysis.
- On top of that: An additional point, often with negative implications.
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