A team of scientists in the Netherlands is revolutionizing research by using worms as an alternative to traditional laboratory mice. These small organisms, with only a few millimeters in length, are revealed surprisingly similar to human beings in neurological terms.
Despite their viscous appearance, they have eyes and a nervous system with two cerebral hemispheres. They use dopamine and serotonin. They are called planaries and are worms. Cellular communication in these organisms is done with neurotransmitters similar to those of human beings and this makes them ideal candidates for the initial tests of substances that affect the brain.
For Roger Adan, a member of the Animal Tests Committee, this is a huge advance for ethics in science.
In 2023, about 413,000 tests were performed on animals, mostly in fish, rats and mice. The introduction of planaries can significantly reduce this number.
“If negative effects on worms are already observed, it may not even be necessary to advance to mammalian tests”
In addition, when testing different doses in worms, it is possible to reduce the number of rats needed for further studies in humans.
Planaries are famous for their regeneration capacity. If they are cut in half, they automatically regenerate the head or tail. This process is similar to human embryonic development, which allows you to test the impact of drugs on pregnancy.
“Cut the head, apply the medicine and observe if they can regenerate or if defects arise.”
This advance can represent a revolution in the way laboratory tests are performed and promote a more ethical, efficient and innovative science.
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