01148nas a2200181   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653002000054653001200074653002000086100001700106245009500123856007200218300001200290490000700302520064300309022001400952       2005                            d  c2005-1210aanimal research10aLock-in10aPath dependence1 aJoshua Frank00aTechnological lock-in, positive institutional feedback, and research on laboratory animals  uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954349X0400075X  a557-5750 v163 aThere has been considerable debate over the efficacy of animal research. The focus here is on bridging the gap between the current animal research debate and ongoing work in economics regarding lock-in and path dependency. Animal research is analyzed for its fit with the circumstances that cause path dependence. The discussion provides a real world “case study” of possible path dependency with particular focus on the psychological dimensions of path dependency as well as the role of academic research institutions in the process. The general conclusion is that animal research is a good candidate for the path dependency concept.  a0954-349X