Tuesday 25 November 2014

Two day National Conference on “Alternatives to Animal use in Experimentation” held recently

A two day National Conference on “Alternatives to Animal use in Experimentation” organised by the CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC) was held recently. 

Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Ashok Lavasa, Secretary MoEFCC said that the paths may be different for the scientific community and the people who work for animal welfare. But, both should strive for the development of science and animal welfare by their different paths. The inaugural function chaired by Shri Hem Pande, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC and Chairman, CPCSEA was attended, among others, by Chairman and members of Animal Welfare Board of India, members of CPCSEA, Drug Controller General of India and Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India. 

The Conference discussed the issue of whether valid alternatives could replace the use of animals for experimentation. During the discussions, some participants came out with some validated alternative methods which would be a good learning for other countries. Significanr participants from different countries were Mr. Nuke Jukes from England, Mr. Christina Pellevoisin from France, Mr. C.F.F. Hendriksen from the Netherlands, Mr. Jarrod Bailey from London, Dr. Jagat Kumar Roy from BHU, Varanasi, Dr. M.A. Akbarsha from Tiruchirapalli, TN, Dr. Sandhya Kaushika from TIFR, Mumbai. A wide spectrum of participants comprising scientists from various institutions, both from the Govt. as well as private sector who are involved in bio-medical research using animals like rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, monkeys and equines and CPCSEA nominees from different parts of the country also attended the conference. 

The CPCSEA is mandated to alleviate pain & suffering to the laboratory animals before, during and after experimentation through the principle of 4 Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine and Rehabilitate). CPCSEA is trying to find appropriate alternatives to the use of animals in experiments in India. This Conference deliberated upon the ways to reduce and replace animals in experimentation through use of alternatives methods. 

Courtesy: pib.nic.in

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