替代方法是指能够替代动物实验、或能够减少所需动物数量的、或能够使动物实验程序得以优化而使动物免受痛苦的任何一种方法或程序 ,都被认定为是一种替代方法。这样的定义与Ｒｕｓｓｅｌｌ和Ｂｕｒｃｈ提出的“3Ｒｓ”是一致的。虽然替代方法的这样一个概念直到最近才被广泛的 Any alternative method or procedure that can replace an animal experiment or reduce the number of animals required, or that can optimize the animal’s experimental procedure to protect the animal from suffering, has been identified as an alternative. Such a definition is consistent with the “3Rs” proposed by Russell and Burch. Although such a concept of alternative methods has only recently been widespread