Computer Models Would Replace 400 Rats Per Test
For Immediate Release:
June 21, 2011
Contact:
Robbyn Brooks 202-483-7382
Duluth, Minn. — PETA has teamed with the McGrath Family Foundation of San Diego to give a $62,000 grant to the International QSAR Foundation (IQF) to develop computer models to test the cancer-causing potential of chemicals and drugs in their development stages. In animal-based carcinogenicity testing for a single chemical, more than 400 animals are fed chemicals for one to two years and then killed. The IQF's sophisticated models are a critical first step toward completely eliminating the use of animals in cancer testing.
"This grant is literally a lifesaver, helping to make tests quicker and keeping animals out of the mix," says PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. "In time, these new computer models will save millions of animals from painful and deadly cancer tests."
"The science PETA is sponsoring is critical to the elimination of animal use," says the IQF's Dr. Gilman Veith. "PETA puts its money where its mouth is and has steadfastly supported better use of science to reduce reliance on animal testing."
The IQF develops non-animal methods for chemical testing and has been instrumental in the development of the OECD Toolbox, a collection of computer models and databases that can be used to estimate toxicity—without the use of animals—for a wide range of chemicals and health effects. More than 30 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development use the OECD Toolbox to avoid animal testing when complying with chemical regulations. Past IQF projects funded in part by PETA have included development of non-animal models to test for acute toxicity, allergic reactions, and endocrine activity.
The McGrath Family Foundation supports PETA's work to replace animals in laboratories with more effective and humane non-animal methods.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.