Abstract: This review provided an overview of the use of laboratory animals and the current status of ethical irregularities in animal experiments. The need for alternative animal development and its ethical review advantages were pointed out. We summarized the research scope and ethical guidelines for alternative animal experiments, as well as the relevant content of its ethical review. The importance of the development of alternative animal-related technologies in scientific research and experimental teaching was also discussed. The relevant situation of the follow-up after the implementation of the ethical standards for alternative animal research was listed and an outlook on the development direction of the standardization of the ethical evaluation was made for alternative animal research in the future.

Key words: alternative animals, ethics, animal experiment, in vitro simulation, 3R principle