Animals used for experimentation are so disregarded by society, there are nearly no protections for them. Tortured, confined in despicable conditions, and barbarically cut open, ISTAND’s innovative program could not come soon enough.
Animal experimentation might finally be coming to its long-fought-for
end. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just launched ISTAND:
“Innovative Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs.” The
groundbreaking pilot program is working to provide alternatives to the cruel
and outdated practice of animal testing.
“The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has worked toward this
goal for several years by meeting with the FDA and Congress and providing
expert input, hosting Congressional briefings, and leading drug development
stakeholders in advocating for a pathway for the approval of non-animal,
human-biology based drug testing methods.” –PCRM
Elizabeth Baker, Pharmaceutical Program Director for PCRM explains this
revolutionary new program to Jane Velez-Mitchell. Watch the interview here!
Path to Progress
Animals used for experimentation are so disregarded by society, there are
nearly no protections for them. Tortured, confined in despicable conditions,
and barbarically cut open, ISTAND’s innovative program could not come soon
enough.
“Many of the animals used in drug testing aren’t even considered animals
under the law. They’re offered no protection whatsoever, and we don’t have a
way to track them.” Elizabeth Baker, Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine
We have no way of knowing how many animals will be spared as a result of
this groundbreaking effort. Baker estimates, in the long-term, millions
could be spared.
Unfortunately, the FDA mandates animal experimentation in many cases. The
pilot program is a powerful first step in offering alternatives.
Animals used for experimentation are treated like disposable lab equipment.
Animal Experimentation: Ineffective Anyways!
The majority of tests conducted on non-human animals fail in human trials.
As Jane points out, chocolate is toxic to dogs, but it’s a favorite snack
for most humans! Why? Because we are biologically different.
“The non-animal tests are more predictive for humans because they’re using
human biology to make decisions for humans. When you’re using the
animal-based approaches or other species, you are understanding what happens
in those animals and then hoping that that’s going to translate to what
happens in humans.” Elizabeth Baker, PCRM
Everyone benefits by moving away from animal experimentation and embracing
the many alternatives!
“Once a method is qualified via ISTAND, any drug developer can confidently
use the method for its qualified purpose without the additional case-by-case
work,” reads the PCRM website.
Baker explains that getting FDA approval is important to companies, but
this has previously been a difficult task without the path that ISTAND
provides. PCRM will continue to work with the FDA and companies to make
animal experimentation obsolete.
“I really see this as a first step. Once the agency has the opportunity to
evaluate many of these approaches and just see how useful they are in drug
development, it will help build confidence for them too.” Elizabeth Baker,
PCRM
Baker is hopeful that the pathway ISTAND provides will have a powerful
impact on the FDA’s current regulations.
The Future of Science
Baker explains that the next generation’s scientists are already expressing
interest in non-animal methods for experimentation. “They want to launch
their careers already doing this,” Baker explains. And, PCRM is here to
support them with programs such as Era 21! Early-Career Researchers
Advancing 21st Century Science, or ERA21, provides students with the help
they need to locate and make use of human-relevant means for research.
Return to Alternatives to Animal Testing, Experimentation and Dissection