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Putting patient safety first

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Reports

US National Research Council calls for the replacement of animal toxicity tests with superior human based tests.

New paper on primate research published in the December issue of the journal Biogenic Amines:
Non-human primates in medical research and drug development: a critical review

Biogenic Amines, Vol. 19, No. 4-6, pp. 235-255 (2005)

VSP 2005. Also available online - www.vsppub.com

There is much current debate surrounding the use of non-human primates (NHPs) in medical research and drug development. This review, stimulated by calls for evidence from UK-based inquiries into NHP research, takes a critical view in order to provide some important balance against papers supporting NHP research and calling for it to be expanded. We show that there is a paucity of evidence to demonstrate the positive contribution or successful translation of NHP research to human medicine, that there is a great deal of often overlooked data showing NHP research to be irrelevant, unnecessary, even hazardous to human health and to have little or no predictive value or application to human medicine. We briefly discuss the reasons why this may be so, reflect upon the consequences for future medical progress and, on the basis of our findings, suggest a more scientifically robust and promising way forward.

For the benefit of human medical progress, it is surely time for objectivity, transparency and honesty in the assessment of NHP models and their contribution to medical science. Only by ensuring this can we be confident that we are utilizing scientific technology to the full, performing the best translational research possible, and making real progress towards the relief of human suffering and disease.

The Future of Teratology Research is In Vitro
Paper published in Biogenic Amines, vol.19, N° 2, pp 97-146, May 2005 reporting on a study of 40 years of teratology (birth defect) research: lead author Dr Jarrod Bailey, Science Director of Europeans for Medical Progress.
Drug and Chemical Tests Using Animals Fail to Predict Birth Defect Risk Half the Time
Pregnant women may unknowingly be putting their unborn children at risk of birth defects by taking over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, and using common household chemicals, according to a new study published in the May issue of the research journal, Biogenic Amines.

A Critical Look at Animal Experimentation
A booklet by the Medical Research Modernisation Committee examining the impact of animal experimentation on research into cancer, AIDS, nerological disorders and others, as well as outlining more valid human-based methods of research.

Perspectives
A journal focusing on the use of animals in biomedical research, published by the Medical Research Modernization Committee (reproduced with permission)