Testing times

The Scientific Advisory Committee of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) has approved five new alternative testing methods that will reduce the need for certain drugs to be tested on animals. The tests use cell cultures rather than animals to identify contaminated drugs. These will not only reduce the number of animals needed for testing, but will also increase the accuracy of the tests, thereby making the products concerned safer. The role of ECVAM, which is based at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, is to replace, refine and reduce methods of animal testing for cosmetics, drugs and chemicals. Tests validated by ECVAM must be approved by its Scientific Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of the 25 member states, academia, industry and animal welfare organisations, before they can be used in labs across Europe.