Milestones of Progress for Alternatives to Animal Use in Research
Image by Joshua Choate from Pixabay
Milestone of Progress for Alternatives The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has approved a new testing guideline to assess a chemical’s ability to cause an allergic reaction on the skin, without the use of animals. This is the first time that such an alternative approach to replace an animal test has been approved by an international group. When put into practice, this alternative will spare countless animals from enormous pain and suffering.
The guideline outlines a testing strategy that relies on a Defined Approach (DA), in which a specific combination of non-animal test methods is used to generate data that is then compared to known values and analyzed. This strategy overcomes the limitations of a one-to-one replacement of an animal test that cannot always give a complete assessment of a chemical’s characteristics. The development of these guidelines was led by the U.S. agency, ICVAAM, as well as the European Commission and Health Canada, and with the support of a nominated group of experts.
The OECD is an international group consisting of 38 countries, including the U.S., that provides a platform for industry, science organizations, and government agencies to share ideas and technology, work together to solve similar problems, and coordinate international practices and policies. Under the OECD’s bylaws, member countries are required to follow the organization’s recommendations and approvals, so its guidance has far-reaching impact.
From News Highlights, American Anti-Vivisection Society, July 2021 International impact; Morality of animal testing; Chimps on the move – American Anti-Vivisection Society (aavs.org)
