Just as with lab grown meat, researchers are finding ways to replace live animals; in this case, replacing live animal testing with human skin grown in a lab. Human tissues from surgeries have been used to replace some animal testing. Biopsies, etc. are a source of skin and other tissues that would otherwise be discarded. Technology is now advancing this technique by growing fresh tissue samples from the harvested samples. As this becomes more economically feasible, there is less need for growing, testing, and then discarding masses of bunnies and other animals. Lab grown skin and tissues are not complete answers though because human tissues are complex. Hair, sweat glands, nerves, etc. affect the body’s reaction. This is, however, yet another step towards techniques that raise fewer ethical issues.
(Click on the photo for the link.)