ANIMAL USE IN SPINAL RESEARCH

Progress in biomedical research often has depended on the use of anima ls as a testing ground for both experimental and clinical hypotheses. Animal models have been widely used in all specialties of medicine and have been crucial for acquiring basic science and clinical knowledge pertaining to spinal surgery. In addition to overcoming the many ethic al and societal restrictions normally encountered in human studies, th e use of animal models permits certain methodologic approaches inappli cable in humans. The purpose of this article is to: 1) review the gene ral concepts of models, 2) discuss recommendations and regulations reg arding the use of animals in biomedical research, and 3) present guide lines for the selection of the most suitable model for a particular st udy. Animal data are only as applicable as the model from which it is derived. Thus, future animal models must be carefully chosen using rat ional guidelines and should overcome the deficiencies and limitations of previous models.