Reduced Animal Testing Called For in Report
by Sherry Morse
The Animal Procedures Committee (APC) of the government of the United Kingdom has issued a report in which it states that some experimental drugs need not be tested on animals before being tested on human beings.
The APC, which advises the Secretary of State for the Home Office about animal experimentation, based its claim on recent scientific advances that are allowing researchers to determine what effects drugs have after administering only very tiny amounts of the substances.
The APC also states in its report that human tissue could be used instead of animals in significantly more medical experiments "if relatives were told that tissue removed after death could provide material to save lives in the future."
Many scientists foresee an increase in use of animals - especially primates - in medical research in the future because individuals will be living longer lives and thus require more medical attention.
"I think we can do a lot to reduce animal testing," said APC Chairman Michael Banner. "We must have stringent rules and audits to make sure it is essential."
© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
The Animal Procedures Committee (APC) of the government of the United Kingdom has issued a report in which it states that some experimental drugs need not be tested on animals before being tested on human beings.
The APC, which advises the Secretary of State for the Home Office about animal experimentation, based its claim on recent scientific advances that are allowing researchers to determine what effects drugs have after administering only very tiny amounts of the substances.
The APC also states in its report that human tissue could be used instead of animals in significantly more medical experiments "if relatives were told that tissue removed after death could provide material to save lives in the future."
Many scientists foresee an increase in use of animals - especially primates - in medical research in the future because individuals will be living longer lives and thus require more medical attention.
"I think we can do a lot to reduce animal testing," said APC Chairman Michael Banner. "We must have stringent rules and audits to make sure it is essential."
© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
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