Twenty-five years of progress in laboratory animal science.

During the past 25 years tremendous improvements have been made in the field of laboratory animal science. Refinements in genetic and microbial quality assurance and animal housing coupled with the development of professional expertise has contributed to enhanced animal well-being and a reduction in the variability of data collected from research animals. These advances occurred concomitant with an increased public awareness of research animal use. In 1967 Laboratory Animals Ltd. published the first issue of Laboratory Animals. In celebration of its Silver Jubilee, I will briefly highlight some of the changes which occurred in the field of laboratory animal science since 1967 and some of the medical advances which depended on animal-based research.