European Commission proposes new animal testing legislation

European Citizens

The revised text of European Directive 86/609/EEC was last Wednesday 
published by the Commission as its formal proposed legislation and sent to the 
Council and Parliament ready for its first reading. In particular the proposal 
discusses when it will be scientifically possible to phase out primate research 
while accepting that it is ethically desirable to do so at the earliest opportunity. 
Written Declaration 40/2007 calling for an end to using Great Apes and 
wild-caught monkeys in experimentation was signed by 433 MEPs in September 
2007. This has been reflected in the proposal with a ban on experiments on great 
apes.

The use of primates in experiments is raising questions not just about the ethics. 
There has been limited success in translating results to benefit humans from 
research into major human diseases. In vitro, genetic research and computer 
modelling, among other procedures, use modern technology and will some day 
provide superior alternatives. The future for finding cures and advancing medicine 
lies with new technological advances to test and develop new drugs. The most 
resistant diseases attack humans at the cellular level, so that is where they need 
to be studied. This can be made to happen sooner with increased investment and 
more qualified use of resources.

In Europe every year more than twelve million animals are used in experiments 
and the numbers are rising not falling. The existing legislation is evidently not 
protecting animals or reducing their numbers. This does not correspond with the 
Commission's stated commitment to the 3Rs principle of Replacement, 
Refinement and Reduction of animals in research.

The review of this directive is an ideal opportunity to update current testing 
methods to reflect the latest advances in medical research. Superior procedures 
based on human biology not animals will be the outcome. The validation of such 
methods is urgent and must be given priority. Minimising unnecessary suffering 
and the use of animals in laboratories with the implementation of the 3Rs is not 
simply a humane goal but a scientifically sound one. Many scientists 
acknowledge that this represents the best way to protect our health and the 
environment.

An article in the Daily Mail of 19 June 2008 called "Clone science hope for skin 
cancer cure" is proof that scientific progress can be made without using animals. 
It tells how, after all conventional treatments had failed, a male cancer victim in 
Seattle was cured by anti-cancer cells extracted from his own body. This was 
only possible due to advanced medical techniques which enabled the cells to be 
reproduced in sufficient quantities. To the delight of the doctors the patient has 
had no reoccurrence after two years. The findings are published in the New 
England Journal of Medicine.

It is in the interest of all Europeans to contact their MEPs and express their 
wishes regarding the final version of the new directive. 

If you want to make a difference go to
http://www.eceae.org/b_takeaction.php

For British Citizens, this September Gordon Brown made a speech to the Labour Party Conference in Manchester in which he said the UK must lead the world in fighting diseases’ and will make available extra public funds. In British law, Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the 3R principles of Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animals in experiments are emphasised. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the present financial support of £15bn for medical research is for innovative methods based on human biology such as in vitro and computer modelling. An Early Day Motion, EDM 321, requests the UK government to accept the urgency of 3Rs research and provide more funding. This is the best way the UK government can spend any increase in its budget for medical research.

For full information on EDM 321 
http://edmi.parliament.uk 

Thank You

Tony from London, England



      

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