Glossary

Studies on laboratory animals are essential for a better understanding of the overall effect of a treatment on a living organism. Even if a treatment is designed to act on a specific part of the body or a particular biological system (such as the circulatory, respiratory, or nervous system), it may affect other parts of the body or other biological systems. Since some animals have biological systems similar to those of humans, particularly in terms of vital functions such as breathing, digestion, movement, and reproduction, testing a promising treatment in animals can therefore confirm its effects and safety before testing it in humans. As with clinical trials, studies on animals are highly regulated and require ethics board approval. In Canada, the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) plays an important role in the scientific community. It creates and establishes ethical practices for the use of animals in research, ensuring rigorous and valid scientific results.