A special issue of Frontiers in Toxicology highlights diverse approaches to assess chemical toxicity without animal use. Non-animal tests have been used to replace animal tests for respiratory and skin effects, but remaining challenges remain.
Researchers at PETA Science Consortium International successfully transitioned a human lung cell line to animal-free media, improving reproducibility and relevance of studies. This achievement sets a precedent for transitioning other cell types, offering far-reaching implications for the field of in vitro research.
A new report published in De Gruyter exposes the neural impact of marine parks and other impoverished environments on cetaceans. The authors conclude that these environments cause significant neurobiological harm, leading to abnormal behavior such as repetitive swimming patterns and social isolation.
A new PETA paper reviews data from over 15,000 animals subjected to the forced swim test, finding no correlation with human trials. The study suggests that the test is not a reliable method for identifying antidepressants.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has co-launched a six-part webinar series focusing on the applications and benefits of animal-free recombinant antibodies for COVID-19 treatment and research. Experts from industry, government, and academia will share their work on human-relevant, non-animal testing strategies.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has contributed to the development of EpiAlveolar, a human cell-based alveolar model that can simulate the effects of inhaling different substances on the human lung. This breakthrough technology allows for the testing of chemicals and other respirable materials without animal testing.
Researchers develop animal-free antitoxin to block diphtheria toxin, reducing animal suffering and increasing safety. PETA-funded project uses human blood cells to create effective treatment with no risk of allergic reactions.
The PETA International Science Consortium and Epithelix award three researchers with 3D lung tissue models valued at up to $10,000 to study human respiratory health effects without harming animals. The tools will help accelerate the adoption of in vitro methods in inhalation testing.
Dr. María Laura Gutiérrez, a young researcher from Argentina, has won the PETA International Science Consortium Award for her work on developing non-animal test methods. The award sends her to an annual workshop at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, where she will learn hands-on laboratory experience using human cells or tissue models.
A new report recommends steps toward achieving global regulatory acceptance of non-animal testing approaches for acute inhalation toxicity. The report highlights the need for more efficient and human-relevant methods that don't use animals, with working groups formed to gather reference data and conduct testing.
A big data approach can predict the toxicity of chemicals without animal tests, saving time, money, and lives. PETA India will present this method at a national conference, suggesting its adoption by governments and regulatory agencies.
An international expert workshop has outlined a strategy for reducing and replacing animal use in acute systemic toxicity testing. The report, published in Toxicology In Vitro, presents recommendations including gathering high-quality reference data and global harmonization.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and others received monetary awards from PETA for contributing to the development of Adverse Outcome Pathways. These pathways help scientists design animal-free testing approaches to predict adverse effects and protect human health.
A new study from PETA finds that 63% of US public schools allow students to opt out of animal dissection. Non-animal teaching methods have been shown to teach biology better and save time and money. The study's findings support the growing trend towards compassionate education, backed by the National Science Teachers Association.
The review assesses the fibrotic potential of various nanomaterials, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and recommends in vitro approaches to predict lung fibrosis development. This scientific study aims to advance non-animal methods for studying nanomaterial effects on human health.
Experts gathered at EPA headquarters to discuss design of in vitro system to assess nanomaterial toxicity, with PETA International Science Consortium funding its development. The report summarizes workshop discussions and recommends aerosol generation and exposure tools.
Scientists propose aerosol generation and exposure tools to predict nanomaterial toxicity in human lungs. These non-animal tools use human lung cells grown in a petri dish, reducing the need for animal testing.
Researchers can improve research and reduce costs by replacing animal-derived antibodies with modern technologies like recombinant antibodies and aptamers. This switch has the potential to save tens of thousands of animals from suffering in laboratories.
Researchers from PETA and PCRM review 50+ technologically advanced tobacco toxicology studies, finding non-animal methods to be quantitatively unreliable. They call for guidance from the FDA on in vitro test methods to reduce animal testing in support of tobacco product applications.
A new study by PETA found a staggering 73% increase in the number of animals used in US laboratories between 1997 and 2012, despite industry claims of reduced animal use. Mice usage accounted for a 72.7% increase due to genetic modification experiments.
The PETA science consortium will present a tiered-testing strategy for assessing nanomaterial hazards at the 7th International Nanotoxicology Congress. The proposed strategy involves multiple in silico and in vitro model systems, data sharing through web-based tools, and is cost-effective while reducing animal use.
A study found that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) at leading US institutions are dominated by animal researchers, with only 10% of members being non-scientist public representatives. This bias may contribute to deficiencies in the IACUC oversight system and marginalize input from public members.
A new non-animal skin sensitization method using a human-derived skin model has been validated to correctly identify chemicals causing allergic responses in humans. The method, SenCeeTox, uses a three-dimensional model that accurately replicates normal human skin, reducing the need for animal testing.
A new study reveals a significant increase in Americans' moral opposition to animal testing, with over half of women and young adults opposing the practice. The study found that opposition to animal testing rose among all age groups, including older adults, and across political affiliations.
A collaboration between PETA, Simulab, and trauma surgeons is providing state-of-the-art TraumaMan surgical simulators to nine countries, replacing animal testing for medical training. This initiative is expected to save thousands of animals from being hurt and killed in training procedures.
The study found that the EPA accepted only 23% of OSRI submissions, leading to the use of thousands of animals in unnecessary testing. The authors urge the EPA to standardize its evaluation procedures and support the use of existing data to reduce animal use.
The HPV Chemicals Challenge Program initially had the potential to use 3.5 million animals but ultimately reduced the number to 127,000 through PETA's involvement and implementation of animal-saving measures. The program's data collection process was found to be lengthy, disorganized, and inefficient.
The Institute of Medicine's landmark 2011 report deemed most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees as not necessary. PETA is now calling for greater diligence to acknowledge this finding in scientific publications.
A new study published in Military Medicine reveals that 22 of 28 NATO nations do not use animal laboratories for military medical training. Officials prefer non-animal methods, such as lifelike human simulators, due to legal prohibitions and the superiority of simulation technology.
The European Chemical Agency is accused of maladministration by failing to investigate cases where animal testing could be avoided under REACH. PETA claims that ECHA is not taking adequate action to ensure compliance with the regulation's last-resort requirement, resulting in unnecessary animal testing.
Chinese officials are set to approve a new non-animal test method for cosmetics ingredients, allowing companies like Avon and Esté Lauder to market products in China without animal testing. The move follows guidance from scientists funded by PETA, who helped facilitate the adoption of the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Assay.
PETA has developed a free resource to facilitate the use of QSARs under the EU REACH Program, helping companies replace animal tests with computational modeling. The guide lists publicly available online resources and selected contact points for support on QSAR use.
The International QSAR Foundation will receive funding to develop databases and computer modeling tools increasing the accuracy of quantitative structure-activity relationship models. This technology aims to reduce animal testing in chemical safety testing, improving results with faster, more accurate, and less expensive methods.