Event will press for animal-free innovation in life sciences

The number of animals used in experiments is far from decreasing, even though the Commission – on several occasions and in several documents – has adopted the goal of fully replacing the use of animals in science. 

Scientists and institutions that are working to develop and promote non-animal methods are constantly frustrated by the very little support they receive for their vision, compared to the backing given to animal experimentation.

To draw attention to this, Eurogroup for Animals and the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union are organising an event on 3rd-5th December, ‘Strategies for innovation in life sciences’, that will comprise an exhibition in the European Parliament and a roundtable discussion. The event will aim to define concrete targets and steps that both Commission and national governments can support in the next legislative term and beyond to promote innovation in life sciences and a clear transition to non-animal science.

Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP will be the host, and organisations including the International Network for Humane Education (InterNICHE), the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), the Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods (FICAM), the Virtual Physiological Human institute (VPHi), TissUse, and the Alliance for Human-Relevant Science are exhibitors. Each organisation will present their technologies and how they are changing the way we look at the current scientific paradigm. 

The accompanying roundtable discussion – which will also include a presentation from the EC’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and from the EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) – will include speakers on such topics as non-animal approaches to study specific areas of disease, the promises of organ-on-chip technologies, and how to fully replace the invasive use of animals in education and training.

Invitees include MEPs, European Council members working on research, and veterinary attachés, as well as members of the European Commission.

For more information about this event, please contact Christine van Horen, Eurogroup for Animals’ Events Manager, at c.vanhoren[@]eurogroupforanimals.org.

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