Scientists impress MPs with work to minimise the use of animals

Researchers who were most successful in communicating to Parliamentarians their work to Replace, Refine or Reduce the use of animals in research and testing were awarded prizes of £2k each at a showcase event in Portcullis House on 28 February 2007.

The event hosted by Phil Willis MP, chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology committee, and organised by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), featured 50 projects that applied the 3Rs to research using animals in academia and industry and the researchers brought posters to illustrate their successful work to the invited guests which included MPs and Peers.

Prizes of £2k were awarded to the best posters in the areas of Replacement, Refinement and Reduction, as selected by a panel of 15 judges on the day, and the event was sponsored by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Wellcome Trust.

The Reduction Prize was won by Richard Walmsley, University of Manchester, and Paul Hastwell, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nick Billinton of Gentronix Ltd for their work in improving the identification of cancer causing chemicals using cell cultures. They developed a cell line that glows green when exposed to chemicals that damage genetic material. Because this test is much more accurate than the existing cell culture tests, far fewer chemicals have to be tested in animals, which are currently still necessary to see whether chemicals actually have the potential to cause cancer.

Phil Willis said: “My colleagues and I were tremendously impressed with the outstanding range and quality of research on display. The research demonstrated that not only could alternatives to animal models be developed but the quality of scientific outcomes could be improved.”

Vicky Robinson, chief executive of the NC3Rs, said: “We were overwhelmed by the interest that our event ‘Showcasing the 3Rs’ generated. Not only did we get a huge number of researchers keen to communicate their work to a wider audience, but we also had an impressive turnout from MPs, who obviously felt that finding out more about this type of work was central to being informed about the issue of using animals in research when talking to their constituents.”

Richard Walmsley said “Developing a new test for use in the highly regulated and conservative field of pharmaceutical safety presents unique challenges for companies like Gentronix. However, the enthusiasm within GSK for this innovative and reliable screening method, coupled with the recognition of our work through this award, should ensure wider adoption and corresponding reduction in animal use throughout the industry.”

Philip Wright, Director of Science & Technology, ABPI, said: “Pharmaceutical companies are constantly looking at ways to research medicines that reduce the need for animals and minimise suffering. The ABPI was delighted to be able to support this showcase of the imaginative techniques being developed by academic and industrial scientists. It is critical that wherever developments occur to reduce, refine and replace the use of animals in research, these are communicated as rapidly as possible.”