Necessary News: Non-animal toxicology testing methods sought

Hi all!

Some quick news for you today...sorry it's been so long since my last post; work has been absolutely hectic but I will be posting a few different entries tonight to keep you going!

This is a press release put out by PR Newswire - so of course, with press releases be aware that they are promoting their own beliefs - but it's an interesting idea, I thought, to aim to create a 'society' who are working towards finding non-animal toxicology testing methods. It took a bit long to arrive, I feel, but hey - at least it's here now!

The presser was put out by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, a non-profit organization that aims to promote the development of non-animal testing methods. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine was also behind the release, as the two organizations have come together to form a new scientific society dedicated to promoting the development and use of non-animal toxicological testing methods. This will be, the press release states, "the first scientific society in North America devoted to such a mission."

The discussion of cellular or in vitro approaches and computational toxicology approaches will take place in an organized forum provided by the American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology. The Society aims to facilitate the development, acceptance, and routine use of cellular and computational methods by open dialogue between industry, academic, advocacy and regulatory scientists, the presser adds.

It is hoped that other organizations will join forces to create growth in the society, said Kristie Sullivan, who is the scientific and policy advisor for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

"We invite scientists from industry, regulatory agencies and advocacy groups to become involved in the formation of the new society to ensure its success," says Sullivan. "Active participation will create a dynamic forum to share information and accelerate the development and use of in vitro and in silico methods..."

Erin Hill, vice-president of Program Development for IIVS, added: "The strong commitment of American scientists to alternative testing methods is illustrated by the National Academy of Sciences report, increased Environmental Protection Agency funding for non-animal methods, and other recent developments." She also mentioned that there are a number of these societies already in Europe, Asia and South America, so it is 'about time' that North America got up to speed.

Hear hear!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi

Necessary News: Toxichip could spell the end of animal testing

Hi all!

An Irish news report released today announced that during the first Nanoweek (running this week, from 30 November to 4 December), scientists will unveil a new little gem known as a Toxichip,which could eliminate the use of animal testing.

The news report, released by RTE.ie, said: "Toxichip, which was developed at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, is capable of monitoring how cells behave and interact with drugs, chemical pollutants in the environment and toxic substances in food and beverages.

"Cell-based biosensors, developed and made at Tyndall, integrated in the Toxichip platform also have the potential to replace animal testing currently used in toxicity screening.

"Already two companies, one in Ireland and a second in France, are seeking to invest in and apply this new technology."

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the Toxichip is here to stay so we can spread the luck of the Irish to animals worldwide!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Necessary News: The doctor has spoken!

Hi all!

One of my favourite magazines, Vegetarian Times, featured an important question (which is especially relevant to this blog) in its Ask the Experts section: What are alternatives to animal testing?

As I have said many times, the doctor explained that very often animal testing is irrelevant anyway, as animal's biological systems are so completely different to humans'.

Anyway, here is the full response from the doctor, and to see the full feature and more on Vegetarian Times click here.

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Q: What humane testing methods exist in place of animal testing?
A: It still surprises many people to learn that non-animal testing methods are not only more ethical, they are also more applicable to human health. The differences in biology, chemistry and physiology mean that research conducted on animals doesn’t always translate effectively to humans. As more researchers realize this, they are turning to some of the following methods:

• Selective formulation Choosing previously tested ingredients to create new products eliminates the need for further testing. Many manufacturers follow this principle in planning their product lines.
• Human cultures Epiderm and EpiSkin are human skin cells grown in test tubes that are layered to mimic the structure of human skin. Cosmetics and household products can be tested on these rather than the skin of live rabbits. Corrositex is another test-tube option that gives an easy-to-read color change reaction to a hazardous product. And EpiOcular, a mass of skin cells specially grown to form a thin layer like that of the human cornea, has the potential to completely replace the cruel rabbit eye irritancy test.
  Skin cultures taken by permission during surgical procedures (such as breast-reduction surgery) can be used to test whether a chemical can pass through the skin and be a potential poison risk.
  Surgical specimens are also the main source of human tissues available from the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI) in Philadelphia. This non-profit tissue bank makes more than 100 types of human tissues available for medical research. NDRI, along with Asterand, a company with offices in the US, UK and Japan that supplies human biomaterials for research, has made it easier than ever for companies to access human cells for testing.
• The physiological chip Just as a microchip holds an intricate system of electronic connections, this 1x1-inch square of cultured cells is made up of cell compartments that are linked by a lifelike circulatory system that mimics the complex functions of the human body. The chips, developed by the Hµrel Corporation in Beverly Hills, CA, can be used to test for harmful (and beneficial) effects of experimental drugs, as well as toxicity of the liver and other organs.
• Cellular tests Experiments that measure white blood cell response to chemicals and medical substances can be used in place of rabbit injections. These tests check for unexpected fever and inflammation—especially from receiving intravenous medications. The European Union just approved the use of five of these tests.
  Bacteria-based tests performed on common microbes such as salmonella can be used to assess whether chemicals can damage DNA, and therefore present a cancer risk.
• Microdosing Minuscule amounts of a test substance—much smaller than a typical dose used for medical purposes—are given to human volunteers so that researchers can track how the substances are transported and absorbed throughout the body.

Q: How do I know what products out there have been tested on animals?
A: Companies are not required to label their products to refl ect whether they have been tested on animals. But those that do not practice animal testing often print “cruelty-free,” “not tested on animals” and even “vegan” on their labels. Look for products with the V logo (for “certified vegan,” you can check it out at vegan.org) or the leaping bunny stamp of approval (leapingbunny.org).
Guiltless and Glamorous note: you can also check out the blog for frequent suggestions and updates on cruelty-free products!


Q: What will it take for companies to stop animal testing for good?
A: Pharmaceutical manufacturers are particularly reluctant to deviate from standard test procedures because animal tests have been the path to regulatory approval of their products with a minimum of liability. But the Vioxx scandal showed that animal tests are far from a guarantee of safety. (Vioxx was the anti-infl ammatory approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that was later found to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke; it was subsequently pulled from the market.
What’s more, the Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA and other agencies remain decidedly loyal to decades-old animal tests. Progress will come as legislators pressure these agencies to modernize the testing processes and as stockholders of major drug manufacturers bring resolutions that move the companies away from animal testing.
Ultimately, the recognition that animal testing is cruel, inaccurate and unnecessary will win the day, and benefit both the welfare of animals and scientific progress.


Neal D. Barnard, MD, lives in Washington, DC, where he conducts human clinical research. His team developed the first cruelty-free test for insulin.