New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) have a bright future ahead, but they should be seen as complementary rather than alternative to classical experimentation.

Regulatory and funding agencies in the U.S. and Europe are promoting ambitious initiatives to foster the development and adoption of advanced systems capable of testing the effects of drugs and other substances without using animal models. The hope is that biomedical research can become more ethical, safer, and cheaper. But the challenge is complex, and the requirements vary depending on the application. As a result, some voices urge a faster “transition,” while others warn that rushing the process could be risky. Recently published articles in leading scientific journals capture this polarized debate, but they also hint at a possible middle ground.