Alternatives to animal experiments a priority
Brussels, 13th February 2008 - Alternatives to using animals for
medical research in laboratories across the EU should be further developed and implemented as a priority, Neil Parish MEP, Conservative
President of the European Parliament's animal welfare intergroup, said
today.
Speaking ahead of a seminar titled 'Progress Without Pain' in the
European Parliament this evening, he said technological advancements
had brought new and alternative 'test' methods, which are proving to
be more efficient and reliable.
Last September, more than half of all European politicians backed a
campaign to end experiments on monkeys across the EU. The Written
Directive, sponsored by Conservative MEP John Bowis, called for the
revision of Directive 86/609 to give priority to ending the use of
apes and wild-caught monkeys in scientific trials and establish a
timetable for alternatives.
Mr Parish said, "We have got to ensure alternatives are developed to reduce the use of
animals in scientific trials, while still maintaining protection of
human health for generations to come. "Despite more than a quarter of primate species being in danger of extinction, monkeys continue to be captured and used for research in
EU laboratories. If alternatives are available and acceptable they
must now be used and the EU should lead the way."
Jan Creamer, chief executive of Animal Defenders International - which
has long campaigned for a European ban on experiments on primates -
and the Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research, said: "ADI's campaign
to end experiments on primates has received overwhelming public
support and backing from the European Parliament. Having met with
Commissioner Dimas in early January, we hope that our positive
dialogue with the Commission will result in a significant change in
the use of lab primates in Europe to end their suffering and make
Europe a leading force in the latest human-based medical research."
Professor of Clinical Neuroimaging at Birmingham's Aston University,
Paul Furlong, who is participating in the seminar, added: "Scientists
must seek the most effective, robust and valid methods available to
answer questions about the brain. Historically, understanding some
aspects of brain function has necessitated invasive methods in human
and non-human primates because of a lack of alternative methods. But
current neuroimaging techniques such as Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) funded by the Lord
Dowding Fund for Humane Research, now offer significant opportunities
to replace non-human primate experimentation in behavioural
neuroscience. Increasing evidence to the efficacy of these alternative non-invasive techniques for human-based studies is important and it is
timely that this issue is to be debated at the European Parliament."