This two-volume set presents a comprehensive description of laboratory animal genetics, diseases, health monitoring, nutrition, and the environmental impact on animal testing. It considers the ethics of animal experimentation through a complete review of European and North American legislation on the topic. It discusses alternatives to animal experiments, including the use of isolated organs, cell cultures, and computer simulations.

The book also examines general methods, including experimental design and statistical evaluation, non-surgical and surgical techniques, anesthesia, and post-mortem examinations. Reviews of animal models for studying diseases of different organ systems, infectious diseases, cancer, and toxicology are featured as well.