03-03-2005, 07:51 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Long Ashton, Bristol
Posts: 10,315
Party: None
|
EU chemical tests will require over 50 million animals.
http://www.stopeuchemicaltests.com/TheWayForward.pdf
Quote:
ACTION TO END ANIMAL TOXICITY TESTING
Animal based toxicity tests cause massive suffering and are of dubious scientific value; their credibility is based on established use rather than reliability or predictive value.
Testing programmes (such as the one proposed in the European Commission’s White Paper on a Future Chemicals Policy) could drastically increase the number of animals used in toxicity experiments, or – with sufficient political will – can be used as an opportunity to bring non-animal tests INTO phpbb_use.
This report demonstrates that animal tests can be replaced with modern, humane alternatives. It is aimed at all those whose influence and commitment is needed to help achieve this goal.
For each test area, the animal test and its non-animal equivalent is described. Scientific failings of the established method are detailed, alongside action needed to bring new tests INTO phpbb_use.
The animal test regime described here is used to assess many substances, including cosmetic ingredients and other chemicals.
Alternative methods described include tests already validated as well as those under development or already in use, although awaiting final validation by ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods).
The description of each animal test gives an outline of the test method. It should not be forgotten that each test can cause pain and distress, often prolonged.
Under the conventional test regime, we estimate that up to 2123 animals are used to test each HPV (High Production Volume) chemical. It has also been estimated that a minimum of 12.8 million animals would be required to test 30 000 substances; this figure rises to over 50 million when offspring produced during productive studies are included
Animal tests are often slower than their non-animal equivalents. For example, the animal test for carcenogenicity takes five years. The non-animal SHE test could be validated in two years, and produces results in a few weeks (see page 23).
In 1993, MEPs in the European Parliament voted to end the testing of cosmetics on animals by imposing a ban on the sale of animal tested products, to be implemented in 1998. Non-animal alternative tests were promised but due to lack of funding (and provision for the ban to be delayed if validated alternatives were unavailable) development was not prioritised. Today, almost a decade on, we are still waiting for the new non-animal tests described here.
Further delay is unacceptable. The elimination of animal toxicity dxperiments, and their replacement with non-animal alternatives, is achievable. A well-funded and co-ordinated strategy to bring these non-animal tests INTO phpbb_use is needed now.
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
