AI to reduce animal testing ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

The 6 Minute English episode discusses the controversial topic of animal testing in scientific research. It highlights the debate between the necessity of animal testing for safety and the ethical concerns raised by animal rights activists. The program introduces the potential of artificial intelligence to reduce animal testing by analyzing vast amounts of data to predict the safety of medicines for humans. The episode also explores the limitations of animal testing and the challenges in balancing animal welfare with medical advancement.

Takeaways

• 🐁 Animal testing involves using living animals in scientific research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new medicines or products.
• 💊 Scientists support animal testing as a means to ensure the safety of medicines and claim it has saved many lives.
• 🙅‍♂️ Animal rights campaigners oppose animal testing, citing cruelty and the argument that animals and humans are biologically different, which can affect test outcomes.
• 🇬🇧 Under British law, medicines must be tested on at least two types of animals, often starting with rats, mice, or guinea pigs.
• 🧬 The term 'human guinea pig' is used colloquially to refer to the first individuals to try out new treatments or products.
• 🤖 The development of AI has sparked renewed debate on animal testing, with the potential to reduce the need for animal testing in scientific research.
• 🔍 AI excels at analyzing vast amounts of data, which is crucial for predicting how new medicines might affect humans, thus aiding in the reduction of animal testing.
• 🚫 There are limitations to animal testing, as substances that are toxic to animals can sometimes be safe for humans, and vice versa.
• 🧬 The phrase 'vice versa' is used to indicate that the opposite of a statement is also true, highlighting the unpredictability of animal testing outcomes for human safety.
• 🧵 The idiom 'threading the needle' describes a task requiring skill and precision, particularly one involving conflicting needs, such as balancing animal welfare with human safety.
• 🌐 AI is not a complete solution but an important part of advancing medicine and animal welfare, as it helps manage the increasing volume of toxicology data and chemicals.

Q & A

What is animal testing?

Animal testing is the use of living animals in scientific research to determine the effectiveness and safety of new medicines or products for humans.

Why do scientists argue in favor of animal testing?

Scientists support animal testing because it helps to determine the safety and effectiveness of medicines, which has contributed to saving many lives.

What is the main argument against animal testing according to animal rights campaigners?

Animal rights campaigners argue that animal testing is cruel and often ineffective due to the significant biological differences between animals and humans.

What types of animals are commonly used for testing medicines in British law?

Under British law, medicines must be tested on at least two different types of animals, typically starting with rats, mice, or guinea pigs.

What does the term 'human guinea pig' imply in everyday English?

In everyday English, 'human guinea pig' refers to the first people to have a new product or treatment tested on them.

How could artificial intelligence (AI) impact the debate on animal testing?

AI could help reduce the need for scientific testing on animals by analyzing large amounts of data to predict how new medicines might affect humans.

What is a limitation of testing medicines on animals as explained by Christine Ro?

One limitation is that the effects of a substance on animals may not accurately predict its effects on humans, as there have been cases where substances toxic to animals were safe for humans and vice versa.

What does the phrase 'vice versa' mean in the context of the script?

The phrase 'vice versa' is used to indicate that the opposite of what has been stated is also true, in this case, referring to the unpredictability of a medicine's safety between animals and humans.

What does 'to thread the needle' mean in the context of the script?

To 'thread the needle' describes a task that requires a lot of skill and precision, especially when dealing with a conflict, such as balancing animal welfare with ensuring the safety of new medicines.

How is AI beneficial in analyzing toxicology data?

AI is beneficial because it can process and analyze vast amounts of toxicology data efficiently, helping scientists make informed decisions about chemical safety.

What does the phrase 'wade through' imply in the context of the script?

To 'wade through' something implies spending a lot of time and effort on a potentially tedious or difficult task, such as reviewing extensive data or information.

What is the significance of the phrase 'on top of that' used by Christine Ro?

The phrase 'on top of that' is used to indicate an additional challenge or consideration, in this case, referring to the increasing number of new chemicals that need to be understood in addition to the existing data.

What is the commonly used medicine that is safe for humans but harmful to animals, as mentioned in the script?

The commonly used medicine that is safe for humans but harmful to animals, as guessed correctly by Georgie, is aspirin.

What does 'the whole picture' mean in the context of the script?

The phrase 'the whole picture' refers to a complete understanding or description of a situation, including all relevant information and perspectives.

Outlines

00:00

🧪 Animal Testing and AI's Role

This paragraph introduces the topic of animal testing in scientific research, its purpose, and the ongoing debate surrounding it. It presents the viewpoints of scientists who believe in its necessity for ensuring medicine safety and animal rights activists who oppose it on ethical grounds. The script mentions British law requirements for testing medicines on animals and the colloquial use of 'human guinea pig'. The discussion shifts to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce animal testing, with a teaser question about a medicine safe for humans but harmful to animals. The segment ends with an introduction to Christine Ro, a science journalist, who will discuss the limitations of animal testing.

05:00

📚 Limitations of Animal Testing and AI's Potential

Christine Ro explains the unpredictability of transferring results from animal testing to human safety, citing cases where substances toxic to animals were safe for humans and vice versa. She touches on the ethical dilemma of animal welfare in testing and the public's preference for minimal animal use while maintaining safety. The segment highlights AI's capability to analyze vast amounts of data, which is crucial in the field of toxicology and chemical safety. The phrase 'threading the needle' is used to describe the challenging balance between animal welfare and human safety. The paragraph concludes with the notion that AI, while not a complete solution, is an important advancement in reducing the reliance on animal testing.

🔬 Recap and Conclusion

This final paragraph serves as a recap of the key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the script. It reviews terms like 'human guinea pigs,' 'vice versa,' 'to thread the needle,' 'the whole picture,' and expressions like 'wading through' and 'on top of that.' The correct answer to the teaser question about aspirin, which is safe for humans but harmful to animals, is revealed. The script concludes with a sign-off from the hosts.

Keywords

💡Animal testing

Animal testing refers to the use of animals in scientific research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new medicines or products. It is a central theme in the video, with discussions on its necessity for human safety and the ethical concerns raised by animal rights activists. The script mentions that 'Animal testing is when living animals are used in scientific research, to find out how effective a new medicine is, or how safe a product is for humans.'

💡Scientific research

Scientific research is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. In the context of the video, it is the process through which scientists determine the safety of medicines and products using animal testing. The script states that 'Scientists in favour of it argue that animal testing shows whether medicines are safe or dangerous for humans, and has saved many lives.'

💡Medicines

Medicines are substances used to treat or prevent diseases. The script discusses how animal testing is used to determine the safety of new medicines for human use. It is highlighted that 'Of course, you can't necessarily predict from a mouse or a dog, what's going to happen in a human,' indicating the limitations of using animal testing for medicine safety assessments.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The video discusses AI's potential to reduce the need for animal testing by analyzing large datasets related to medicine safety. The script mentions, 'But now, groups both for and against animal testing are thinking again, thanks to a recent development in the debate: AI.'

💡Toxicology

Toxicology is the science concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and their clinical use. In the script, toxicology data is mentioned as a significant aspect that AI can help analyze, 'there is a huge amount of toxicology data, to wade through when it comes to determining chemical safety.'

💡Human guinea pig

The term 'human guinea pig' is used colloquially to describe the first people to undergo testing of new substances or treatments. The script introduces this term with the phrase, 'in everyday English, the term 'human guinea pig' can be used to mean, the first people to have something tested on them.'

💡Vice versa

The Latin phrase 'vice versa' is used to indicate that the opposite of a statement is also true. In the script, it is used to highlight the reciprocal nature of safety between animals and humans, 'Christine uses the phrase 'vice versa' to show that the opposite, of what she says is also true.'

💡To thread the needle

The idiom 'to thread the needle' describes a task that requires a great deal of skill and precision, often involving a delicate balance or conflict. The script uses this idiom to describe the challenge of ensuring substance safety with minimal animal testing, 'but AI might help to make that more possible.'

💡The whole picture

'The whole picture' refers to a complete understanding or representation of something, including all relevant information and perspectives. The script uses this term to clarify that while AI is a significant part of the solution, it is not the only factor in reducing animal testing, 'AI is not the whole picture, it's not a complete description of something which includes all the relevant information.'

💡Wade through

To 'wade through' something means to spend a lot of time and effort on a task, often involving going through a large amount of information or data. In the script, it is used to describe the process of analyzing extensive toxicology data, 'AI helps scientists wade through huge amounts of data.'

💡On top of that

The phrase 'on top of that' is used to add further information, usually something negative or an additional challenge. In the script, it is used to emphasize the increasing complexity of chemical safety assessments due to the constant invention of new chemicals, 'and on top of that, there's this staggering number of chemicals, being invented all of the time.'

Highlights

Animal testing is used in scientific research to determine the safety and efficacy of new medicines and products for humans.

Scientists argue that animal testing is crucial for ensuring the safety of medicines and has saved many lives.

Animal rights campaigners oppose animal testing, citing cruelty and the differences between animals and humans.

British law requires medicines to be tested on at least two different types of animals, often starting with rodents or guinea pigs.

The term 'human guinea pig' refers to the first people to have a new product or medicine tested on them.

AI is being considered as a potential alternative to reduce the need for animal testing in scientific research.

Christine Ro, a science journalist, discusses the limitations of animal testing and the potential of AI in the 'Tech Life' program.

Testing medicines on animals may not accurately predict their safety for humans due to biological differences.

AI can analyze vast amounts of toxicology data, which is essential for determining chemical safety.

The phrase 'vice versa' is used to indicate that the opposite of a statement is also true.

The idiom 'to thread the needle' describes a task requiring skill and precision, especially in conflict situations.

'The whole picture' refers to a complete description of something, including all relevant information and opinions.

The phrase 'wading through something' implies spending time and effort on a difficult or tedious task, such as reading extensive information.

'On top of that' means in addition to something, often with a negative connotation.

AI is not a complete solution but is an increasingly important part of the process in reducing animal testing.

The commonly used medicine that is safe for humans but harmful to animals is aspirin.

The vocabulary discussed includes terms related to animal testing, idioms, and phrases that describe tasks and situations.

Transcripts

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.

I'm Phil and I'm Georgie.

Animal testing is when living animals are used in scientific research

to find out how effective a new medicine is,

or how safe a product is for humans.

Scientists in favour of it argue that animal testing shows

whether medicines are safe or dangerous for humans, and has saved many lives.

But animal rights campaigners say it's cruel, and also ineffective

because animals and humans are so different.

Under British law,

medicines must be tested on two different types of animals,

usually starting with rats, mice or guinea pigs.

And in everyday English, the term 'human guinea pig' can be used to mean

the first people to have something tested on them.

But now, groups both for and against animal testing are thinking again,

thanks to a recent development in the debate: AI.

In this program, we'll be hearing

how artificial intelligence could help reduce the need

for scientific testing on animals.

But first, I have a question for you, Georgie.

There's one commonly used medicine in particular,

which is harmful for animals but safe for humans,

but what? Is it, a) antibiotics b) aspirin or c) paracetamol?

Hmm, I guess it's aspirin.

OK, Georgie, I'll reveal the answer at the end of the programme.

Christine Ro is a science journalist

who's interested in the animal testing debate.

Here, she explains to BBC World Service programme 'Tech Life' some

of the limitations of testing medicines on animals.

Of course, you can't necessarily predict from a mouse or a dog

what's going to happen in a human,

and there have been a number of cases where substances that have proven

to be toxic in animals have been proven to be safe in humans,

and vice versa.

There are also, of course, animal welfare limitations to animal testing.

Most people, I think, if they had the choice, would want

their substances to be used on as few animals, or no animals, as possible,

while still ensuring safety.

Now that's been a really difficult needle to thread,

but AI might help to make that more possible.

Christine says that medicines which are safe for animals might not be safe

for humans.

But the opposite is also true –

what's safe for humans might not be safe for animals.

Christine uses the phrase 'vice versa' to show that the opposite

of what she says is also true.

Christine also uses the idiom 'to thread the needle' to describe a task,

which requires a lot of skill and precision,

especially one involving a conflict.

Yes, medical animal testing may save human lives,

but many people see it as cruel and distressing for the animal –

it's a difficult needle to thread.

But now, the challenge of threading that needle has got a little easier

because of artificial intelligence. Predicting

how likely a new medicine is to harm humans,

involves analysing the results of thousands of experiments.

And one thing AI is really good at, is analysing mountains

and mountains of data.

Here's Christine Ro again, speaking with BBC World Service's 'Tech Life'.

So, AI isn't the whole picture, of course,

but it's an increasingly important part of the picture.

And one reason for that, is that there is a huge amount of toxicology data

to wade through when it comes to determining chemical safety.

And on top of that, there's this staggering number of chemicals

being invented all of the time.

AI helps scientists wade through huge amounts of data.

If you wade through something, you spend a lot of time and effort

doing something boring or difficult, especially reading a lot of information.

AI can process huge amounts of data,

and what's more,

that amount keeps growing as new chemicals are invented.

Christine uses the phrase 'on top of that' meaning in addition to something,

often this extra thing is negative.

She means there's already so much data to understand,

and additionally, there's even more to be understood about these new chemicals.

Of course, the good news is that

with AI, testing on animals could one day stop,

although Christine warns that AI is not the whole picture,

it's not a complete description of something which includes

all the relevant information.

Nevertheless, the news is a step forward for both animal welfare

and for modern medicine.

Speaking of which, what was the answer to your question

Phil? What is a commonly used medicine which is safe for humans

but harmful to animals?

I guessed it was aspirin.

Which was the correct answer.

Right, let's recap the vocabulary we've discussed, starting

with 'human guinea pigs',

meaning the first people to have something new tested on them.

The phrase 'vice versa' is used to indicate

that the opposite of what you have just said is also true.

'To thread the needle' describes a task which requires extreme skill

and precision to do successfully.

'The whole picture' means a complete description of something, which includes

all the relevant information and opinions about it.

If you wade through something, you spend a lot of time and effort

doing something boring or difficult, especially reading a lot of information.

And finally,

the phrase 'on top of something' means 'in addition to something',

and that extra thing is often negative.

That's all for this week.

Goodbye for now. Bye.