Necessity Really Is the Mother of Invention
Remember years ago when the car companies told us that fossil fuel was the only thing that would make our cars run? And look what we have today: a true oil shortage, and a variety of ways to run cars. Turns out that corn, cooking oil, and even some type of grass can be made into fuel.
Such was the case in animal testing. Years ago the cosmetics and pharmaceutical firms told us that animal testing was the only way to ensure safety in new products. Well clearer minds prevailed, and in Europe animal testing for cosmetics will come to an end in March 2009. What has happened since that law was passed? The cosmetics companies have been forced to get cracking and come up with alternatives. Companies have sprung up and have invented “in vitro” methods that are expected to replace animals totally by the March deadline.
Of course the United States is way behind the trends in Europe. But it is a start. With “in vitro” testing being accepted in other countries, it will only be a matter of time before the FDA is forced into changing its stance as well. The progress is slow, but still marching on. And maybe these tests will only cut down on the number of animals used in research. If so, that is better than nothing. “Replace, reduce and refine”, should be the mantra of every animal researcher on the planet. If it isn’t we need to ask, “Why isn’t this your goal?” That answer should be fascinating.