Union government
will set up an inter-disciplinary Task Force to draw up an action
plan for progressive reduction in the use of animals for medical
and other experiments and refinement of experimental methods
to reduce pain to such animals. This was announced by the Minister
of State for Environment and Forests, Shri Dilip Singh Judev
in the closing session of the three-day ‘International Conference
on Alternatives to Use of Animals in Research and Education’
in New Delhi yesterday. The Minister said the Task Force will
evolve time schedule and the general framework of the implementation
of the recommendations of the conference. The Task Force will
consist of experts and representatives from the Ministries of
Environment and Forests, Health, Agriculture and the Department
of Biotechnology.
Shri Judev expressed
concern over violation of basic norms of animal care, hygiene,
light, temperature, humidity, food, space and controlled breeding
as laid down by the scientific community itself. He said much
larger number of animals are being used for experiments deploying
insensitive methodologies. The Minister further observed that
citing of lack of resources is only an inexcusable alibi for
not adhering to norms and exploring the alternatives. What is
required is an attitudinal change and a firm conviction that
health of the animals and sound experimental methodologies are
the very foundation of reliable research.
Shri V.K.Duggal,
Special Secretary in the Ministry and Chairperson of the Committee
for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on
Animals (CPCSEA), informed that setting up of a Trust for promoting
research for alternatives to use of animals in experiments is
under the consideration of the Government. He said the Trust
will provide the necessary resource base for such a research.
Shri Duggal emphasised the need for harmonising the concerns
of science with the four Es viz., Ethics, Economics, Equity
and Ecology.
The three-day Conference
of experts while recognising the need to continue experimentation
on animals for medical and other purposes made several recommendations
for making it more humane. The Conference focussed on refinement
of experimental methodologies as the most preferred course of
action to begin with. Replacement of animals was interpreted
as use of smaller number of animals. Computer modelling and
advanced cell culture technology were recommended as alternatives
to use of animals. The Conference also suggested legal provisions
for making exploration of alternatives a pre-requisite for undertaking
animal experimentation.
In respect of alternatives
to use of animals in education, the Conference recommended the
use of models, multi-media, simulators, mannequins and 3D constructions.
Appropriate restructuring of syllabi was also advocated to promote
compassion and care for animals at all levels of education by
incorporating in the curriculum animal ethics, animal pain and
stress, animal behaviour and psychology, animal welfare and
laws etc. With regard to regulatory research, the Conference
while recognising the indispensability of the research strongly
advocated immediate adoption of alternatives validated by the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
United States Food and Drug Agency (USFDA), United States Environment
Protection Agency (USEPA) and the European Centre for Validation
of Alternate Methods (ECVAM).
The Conference
also recommended establishment of a centre at national level
to develop alternatives to animal experimentation in research
and education with required focus on dissemination of information
and data sharing among institutions, companies and countries.
