The ethical concerns surrounding animal testing in cancer research primarily revolve around the welfare of the animals used in these studies. Critics argue that animals can experience pain and distress, and that their use may not always be justified, especially if alternative methods are available. This has led to the development of the 3Rs principleâReplacement, Reduction, and Refinementâwhich aims to minimize the use of animals in research, reduce the number of animals used, and refine procedures to improve animal welfare.