Groups Work With Industry Scientists to Spare Lives of Tens of Thousands of Animals Through New Shellfish Test
For
Immediate Release:
May
23, 2012
Contact:
Kristin
Richards 202-483-7382
Washington -- For decades, U.S. fisheries have tested the algal toxin levels of shellfish caught for human consumption by processing a sample of the shellfish in a blender and injecting the resulting slurry into the abdomen of live mice, causing them to have seizures, become paralyzed, and die slowly and painfully when the toxins are present. Now, thanks to the confluence of government, private sector, and PETA efforts, U.S. fisheries will have access to a new, more accurate test for paralytic shellfish poisons that will save thousands of mice from suffering and death. The previous, inaccurate test used six to eight mice to test each shellfish bed periodically to ensure that the shellfish were safe for humans to consume, but the new test developed by a dedicated scientist from the Food and Drug Administration uses the tissue from only one deceased rat to make 1,000 accurate tests. PETA helped fund the licensing necessary to implement the new test nationwide and is now working to let all U.S. fisheries know about this development so that they can begin replacing the former live-mouse test as soon as possible. PETA has also put money toward a grant that will further refine the new method so that slaughterhouse byproducts can be used.
"PETA was eager to help implement an effective toxicity test that will save thousands of mice from a slow, excruciating death," says Jessica Sandler, director of PETA's Regulatory Testing Division. "We're confident that U.S. fisheries will see the wisdom in immediately switching to this kinder, scientifically superior, and far less expensive test."
The new test detects paralytic shellfish poisons, a group of toxins that can cause facial paralysis, hypotension, vomiting, tachycardia, and fatal cardiovascular shock. These toxins may be found in mussels, softshell clams, oysters, lobsters, crabs, herring, salmon, and many other species off the northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States.
As a result of the collaboration between PETA and PETA U.K., PETA's overseas affiliate, the E.U. has already replaced the expensive and deadly mouse bioassay for shellfish toxicity. PETA and its affiliates have donated more than $1 million to the development of non-animal test methods.
For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.