MEPs propose animal testing limits without impeding scientific progress
Animal testing has long been a bone of contention for many groups including industry, research institutions and policy makers. There has been extensive discussion about restricting the use of animals in scientific experiments, and improving their welfare. However, would such action affect research in Europe? Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg and the EU Council of Ministers argue that any limitations and improvements should be achieved without obstructing Europe's objectives for conducting key research in the fight against diseases. In a draft directive that must be approved under the co-decision procedure by the Parliament and the EU Council, it is recommended that the number of animals in research drop significantly and that any planned tests be subject to ethical assessment. Such a move would take into consideration the concerns voiced by the public. In a plenary session, MEPs adopted, by a majority of 540 to 66 (with 34 abstentions), a first reading report by MEP Neil Parish, supporting these objectives. 'We all want to see animal tests reduced. However, European citizens quite rightly demand the best and most effective medicines,' Mr Parish explained. 'The Parliament report makes it clear exactly when testing on animals should be allowed and under what circumstances,' he added. 'It strikes a compromise between ensuring that research can continue in the EU and improving animal welfare.' MEPs gave a green light on a ban against the testing of great apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans. These species, which are threatened with extinction, can only be tested in experiments targeting their conservation. Last March, an expert group (EG) of the European Science Foundation's Medical Research Councils proposed that non-human primates should not be used in testing procedures, with the exception of those undertaken with a view to the avoidance, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of life-threatening or debilitating clinical conditions in human beings. However, the reading report rejects the notion that tests using non-human primates be limited to life-threatening or debilitating conditions; a number of major diseases are tested on primates. The green light on some drugs, based on European and international guidelines, comes only when primates are used for testing purposes. The reading report also said that the European Commission should review the use of non-human primates in scientific experiments every two years following the implementation of the directive. Meanwhile, some have argued that certain aspects of this latest directive could prove troublesome as European researchers may fall behind their US and Asian counterparts. Thus the directive was amended so as to make it more balanced and to allow medical research to proceed as required. The EG, for its part, had said the total ban on basic research in great apes would 'terminate all prospects of such research in the EU in the future, with a potentially disastrous outcome for the ability to tackle diseases that might be particularly targeted at humans and other advanced primates.' Amendments elucidating the legislation text were also adopted by the MEPs. In effect, three categories of pain inflicted during a test have been defined: 'up to mild', 'moderate' and 'severe'. According to the Commission, only animals classified as experiencing 'up to mild' pain during testing can be re-used. But the MEPs contend that applying rigid criteria would trigger an increase in the number of animals used for tests. Consequently, the re-use of animals should apply to animals experiencing pain inflicted that is classified as 'moderate'. Notably, the MEPs support the expansion of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, which would raise the Centre's influence in the coordination and promotion of developing and using alternative methods of animal testing. A significant feature of the directive is that Member States will be able to apply or adopt stricter national measures to ensure the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. It should be noted that due to the upcoming Parliamentary elections in June, the newly elected Parliament will either confirm or amend the outgoing Parliament's position on this directive.