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Millions more animal lab tests
By Mark Prigg, Evening Standard Science Correspondent Last updated at 00:00am on 05.04.04A new row over animal testing broke out today after it was revealed that millions more laboratory tests will be carried out on dogs, rabbits and rodents.
The Government is backing moves to adopt a Europe-wide standard test for potentially harmful chemicals such as detergents and shampoo.
It will mean carrying out animal experiments on many substances that have already been tested and found to be safe.
MPs on the Commons science and technology committee are against the plan which could mean up to six million new tests on laboratory animals.
Tory member Bob Spink said the proposal was "a disgrace" and would lead to a massive public backlash.
He added: "We're going to see a few million animals tested for absolutely no point. A lot of these tests have already been done and the only problem is that the results are not in the right format.
"We've been living with many of these chemicals for a long time and know how they react so re-testing is not needed."
He called for products to be assessed on their potential risk, instead of blanket retesting of hundreds of items such as cleaning fluids and cosmetics.
He also backs greater use of alternative testing methods, such as computer simulations and experiments on tissue samples rather than live animals.
The proposed testing scheme, known as Reach (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) would require 50,000 cats, rabbits, dogs and rodents to be bred for laboratories in Britain and other European countries.
The animals would be subjected to tests including rubbing detergents into their eyes and skin to evaluate any toxic effect.
The new testing regime would increase the number of animal experiments in the UK by about 50 per cent, say anti-vivisection campaigners.
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the Government supported the scheme but would try to ensure animal experiments were kept to a minimum.
"We agree with the aims of this proposal but we are carrying out a public consultation and are confident that if any changes need to be made there is still time," he said.
The department admits the new regime requires 20,000 chemicals to be tested on at least 25 animals each, a total of 500,000 animals.
Another 4,000 substances would require 1,500 animal tests each - six million across the EU. The number of tests for the final 6,000 chemicals was unclear. Tests may begin by 2006.
Jan Creamer, chief executive of the National Anti-vivisection Service, said: "All animal experiments are unethical but these would be particularly gruesome as they include making animals swallow dangerous chemicals.
"What's more, these new tests just aren't needed. They should be looking at the environmental impact of these chemicals."
Emily McIvor, of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, said: "A mandatory data sharing system is the only sensible way forward.
"Most of these tests have been done but for commercial reasons the drugs companies won't release their results."
