FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE;
LETTER TO EDITOR



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Date sent: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 13:00:49 -0700
From: "F. Lafort"
To: tabibzadeh@moffitt.usf.edu
Copies to: F.Lafort@Inter.NL.net
Subject: worldcongress reduction of animal use

REDUCTION OF ANIMAL USE: A CENTRAL THEME AT WORLD CONGRESS

Worldwide more than 100 million vertebrate animals are used each year for research, testing and education. At the 2nd World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (Utrecht, The Netherlands, 20-24 October 1996) more than 600 scientists will present the latest developments on animal alternatives and exchange information on techniques and procedures which contribute to the reduction of animal use and to the improvement of animal welfare. In many countries guidelines are being issued to protect these animals and to reduce their use and suffering. Supra-national regulations have also obtained an increased impact on the use of animals for experimental purposes. Beginning January 1998, the use of animals for cosmetic purposes will be prohibited within the European Union for any animal test for which a validated alternative is available. Also, according to the Fifth EU Environmental Action Programme the use of laboratory animals must be reduced by 50% by the year 2000. The Congress will cover all major aspects on animal alternatives. Topics will include: -Alternatives in toxicology -Alternatives in pharmacology -Validation of alternative tests -(Legal) barriers to the acceptation of new test methods -Alternatives in education (e.g. the artificial rat) -Refinement procedures and animal welfare -Ethical aspects of animal experiments During the Congress editors of scientific journals will discuss guidelines for the reviewing of manuscripts on ethical acceptability. A continuous programme on films, videos and multimedia will be presented. Also, a Film Festival on animal alternatives will be organized with the aim of promoting the use of audio-visual programmes. Detailed information will be soon available on Internet: (URL:http://www.pdk.dgk.ruu.nl/wca.htm). The Congress will be opened by the Minister of Health E. Terpstra. H.R.H. Prince Laurent of Belgium will present the Russell & Burch Award during the Award Reception on Tuesday October 22. For further information prof.dr. L.F.M. van Zutphen/dr. J. van der Valk tel: 31-30-2532033 fax: 31-30-2537997 pdk@pobox.ruu.nl