I was dissappointed to read the technique used in this study, and even more so when I read the authors' call for more rabbits to use to repeat in a larger study. There are a range of other assays that can be used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of substances. These include ex vivo corneas and other tissue culture methods. As scientists, we should all be trying to work towards the three R's: Refine, Reduce, Replace. We shouldn't be doing experiments just because we can, but rather should be doing good meaningful science without unnecessary suffering.
Competing interests
I declare I have no competing interests. I am a clinical nutrition practitioner and post-graduate researcher with qualifications in biochemistry and in microbiology. I have previously worked in a human tissue bank where ethically consented, non-transplantable human tissues were made available for research purposes.
Test protocol
3 November 2011
I was dissappointed to read the technique used in this study, and even more so when I read the authors' call for more rabbits to use to repeat in a larger study.
There are a range of other assays that can be used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of substances. These include ex vivo corneas and other tissue culture methods. As scientists, we should all be trying to work towards the three R's: Refine, Reduce, Replace. We shouldn't be doing experiments just because we can, but rather should be doing good meaningful science without unnecessary suffering.
Competing interests
I declare I have no competing interests. I am a clinical nutrition practitioner and post-graduate researcher with qualifications in biochemistry and in microbiology. I have previously worked in a human tissue bank where ethically consented, non-transplantable human tissues were made available for research purposes.