{"id":65,"date":"2024-09-10T19:54:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T19:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mhtechin.com\/news\/?p=65"},"modified":"2024-09-10T19:54:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T19:54:02","slug":"fbs-the-ethical-dilemma-you-probably-didnt-know-is-happening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mhtechin.com\/news\/fbs-the-ethical-dilemma-you-probably-didnt-know-is-happening\/","title":{"rendered":"FBS \u2014 The Ethical Dilemma you Probably Didn\u2019t Know is Happening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Should animals be used to test medical products?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a debate that researchers and scientists alike are constantly confronted with. On the one hand, these animals can feel pain and aren\u2019t perfect replicas of our anatomy as humans. On the other hand, the models of some animals (ex. mice \ud83d\udc2d and monkeys \ud83d\udc35) are close enough to people and allow us to develop effective treatments (ex. antibiotics, insulin, vaccines \ud83d\udc89) against many diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This debate, like many others, doesn\u2019t have a correct answer. However, a compromise has been reached in form of the 3Rs<\/strong>: reduce<\/strong>, refine<\/strong>, and replace<\/strong>. The 3Rs act as principles that researchers follow to lessen the harm done to animals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Examples of each category of the 3Rs. Image credit: Science<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For now, let\u2019s focus on \u2018replace\u2019. The figure above states that an example of the replace principle is cultured cells<\/strong>. Cultured cells are grown in vitro<\/strong> (outside a living organism, inside a dish or test tube) by humans. Scientists can modify these cells to carry out their experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On paper, this sounds like a great solution to our ethical problem. We don\u2019t need to physically harm the animals when we can make cells!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, let\u2019s dive a bit deeper. These cultured cells need a culture medium<\/strong> from which they can reproduce. So what\u2019s the main medium being used today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FBS<\/strong>, also known as Fetal Bovine Serum <\/strong>\ud83d\udc2e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that name didn\u2019t already raise some red flags, FBS is a byproduct of the meat industry<\/strong>. When pregnant cows are slaughtered, blood is extracted from the embryo <\/strong>(the unborn calf). The liquid that remains is used for FBS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Cows in the meat industry are often raised in an environment like this. Image credit: The Humane League<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is FBS Widely Used?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

There are a variety of reasons that FBS is the number one culture medium. To make this easier to digest, I\u2019ll be dividing this section into two subsections: scientific <\/strong>and economic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientific<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

FBS is\u00a0typically used in only 2\u201310% of the culture medium<\/strong>, though this number varies based on what kind of cells are being cultured. But this portion contains\u00a0many vital growth factors<\/strong>, such as hormones, nutrients, and\u00a0sugar<\/a>. FBS also contains\u00a0fewer growth-inhibiting factors\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bulk of the benefits of FBS lie within the scientific section, but there are still a couple of benefits on the economic side of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned before, FBS is a byproduct of the meat industry. This makes FBS quite easy to produce<\/strong>. As long as you have pregnant livestock, you can get yourself some FBS. It\u2019s also an effective way to make a quick buck <\/strong>\ud83e\udd11. Not only are you manufacturing your meat products, but you\u2019re also selling the leftovers \u2014 a win-win situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the Best Alternative to FBS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To answer that question, we have to lay out some criteria. The ideal FBS replacement should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n