Helping Scientists Worldwide Replace Animal Tests

Physicians Committee scientists traveled the globe this summer to attend scientific meetings where they shared their research on replacing animal use in research.

The Physicians Committee is looking for two fall semester interns to work on our programs promoting the replacement of animals in testing, research, and medical education with human-relevant methods. Apply today!

Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

Feng-Yen Li, Ph.D., attended the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, England, in July, where she presented research on how a plant-based diet can help reverse late onset Alzheimer’s disease risk factors.

International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting

Ann Lam, Ph.D., presented research on replacing animal-derived components in stem cell research at the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting in Boston in June.

10th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Science

Physicians Committee scientists were a major presence at the 10th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Science this August in Seattle. They gave five oral presentations and five poster presentations (links below).

Ryan Merkley highlighted problems with institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) at facilities covered under Animal Welfare Act.

Esther Haugabrooks, Ph.D., discussed her worldwide survey of LD50 tests, which measure the dose of a chemical that kills 50 percent of the animals who are exposed to it.

Elizabeth Baker, Esq., shared progress and plans for replacing animal use in preclinical drug testing.

Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., (right) discusses adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), a method to replace animal use in identifying toxic chemicals.

The Physicians Committee also held an event the day before the Congress to discuss roadblocks and solutions to replacing animals in medical research. The event attracted more than 60 students, researchers, and advocates and highlighted the need for more funding and training in nonanimal research methods and the availability of human tissues and cells.

Oral Presentations

Promise and Pitfalls of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Learning from Past Mistakes (Ann Lam, Ph.D.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/185198_WC10_Theme_7_Orals3.pdf (page 191)

Computational Modeling: Moving from Data Mining to Understanding Systems (Ann Lam, Ph.D.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/151156_WC10_Theme_5_Orals3.pdf  (page 156)

The 3Rs in Action: A Canadian Roadmap (Charu Chandrasekera, Ph.D.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/231248_WC10_Theme_9_Orals3.pdf  (page 248)

Advocating for the Replacement and Reduction of Animals at a Global Level Requires Cooperation Among Diverse Stakeholders (Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/231248_WC10_Theme_9_Orals3.pdf (page 242)

How Do Laws and Policies Regulating Chemicals Drive Alternative Methods Development? (Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/020035_WC10_Theme_2_Orals3.pdf (page 22)

Poster Presentations

A Review of IACUC Practices at Major Public U.S. Research Universities (Ryan Merkley): http://www.altex.ch/resources/015019_WC10_Theme_1_Posters3.pdf  (page 17)

U.S. Public Opinion on the Use of Animals for Medical Training: Analysis of a Randomized 2016 Telephone Survey (Ryan Merkley): http://www.altex.ch/resources/174184_WC10_Theme_6_Posters5.pdf (page 184)

A Survey of Global Acute Systemic Toxicity Test Requirements to Support a Push Towards Harmonized Acceptance of Alternative Strategies (Esther Haugabrooks, Ph.D.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/249254_WC10_Theme_9_Posters3.pdf (page 252)

Preclinical Innovation and Patient Safety: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Innovative Science and Replacing Preclinical Animal Tests (Elizabeth Baker, Esq.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/174184_WC10_Theme_6_Posters5.pdf (page 175)

Recombinant Antibodies: Replacement in Action (Charu Chandrasekera, Ph.D.): http://www.altex.ch/resources/174184_WC10_Theme_6_Posters5.pdf (page 184)