特别广播英语第 182 课：Sacrificed to Science? 为科学而献身-2

The birth defects that the drug produced were a result of inadequate testing. 这种药物引起的先天性畸形是缺乏实验的结果。

If thalidomide were invented today, it would never be released for human use because new tests on pregnant animals would reveal the dangers. 如果萨力多胺是现在发明的，它就不会被批准为人类使用，因为在有孕的动物身上实验会提示其危险。

Another organization that is developing other methods of research is FRAME. This is the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments. 另一个开发其它研究办法的组织是FRAME，"替代动物医学实验基金会"的简称。

It recognises that many experiments still have to be done on animals and is aiming for Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of animals in experiments. 它认识到许多实验仍然不得不使用动物，该基金会旨在减少使用动物，改良使用动物，甚至替代动物。

In 1981, it established a research programme to improve and expand non-animal testing. 在1981年，它们设立了一个改进和扩大无动物实验的研究项目。

Increasingly, new technology is making it easier for us to find alternative methods of testing. 渐渐地，新科技使我们更易于找到进行实验可供选择的办法。

Computer models can be used to simulate the way that cells work and to try to predict the toxicity of chemicals. 电脑模型可以用来模拟细胞的活动方式和预测化学制品的毒性。

Data from previous animal experiments is used to develop a computer model which will predict what will happen if you add a chemical with an unknown biological effect to a substance. 以前的动物数据用来开发一个电脑模型，它能预测如果一种物质中加入某种未知生物作用的化学药品会发生什么。

The eventual aim of computer modeling is to reduce the number of animals used in experiments. 电脑模型的最终目标是减少用于实验的动物数量。

The Lethal Dose 50 test (LD50) may also be replaced. In the original test, all the animals in a test group are given a substance until half of them die. 致死计量50实验（LD50）也可以被代替。在过去的实验中，实验群中所有的动物被喂给一种物质，直到其中一半死亡。