Lab animal use to continue
While animal activists have called to put an end to using animals in laboratory, the supercomputer-based animal models that seek to replace laboratory animals are still a far cry and the use of animals in drug trials will continue till viable alternatives emerge. Speaking at the World Laboratory Animal Day event held at the National Institute of Nutrition, Dr Anjani Kumar, director of the animal welfare division in the ministry of environment and forests said, “Though there is indeed hope that super-computers and DNA-based models could replicate the human body’s functions virtually to enable drug trials, it seems far-fetched.
Also, a multi-pronged approach in drug discovery should emerge, and must avoid the usage of animals. For example, a move to treat diseases by bio-protein method could in future make the existing drug discovery process redundant. Currently, we have to go with the world scenario and use animals in labs.”
City animal activists have called for an end to using laboratory animals, and move towards computer-based alternatives. Secretary of the city-based animal rights body, Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh, Mahesh Agarwal said, “I do not see any new technology replacing the use of animals in the laboratories. So, until such ways emerge, it would seem futile if we press for a ban on the method, which will seriously impact new drug discovery. Handle animals with care and less cruelty.”
Dr Kumar thanked the worldwide sustained animal rights activism for its active role in sensitising the world against animal abuse in medical research. He, however, added that there is much left to be done as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act needs to be amended to award severe punishment to the violators who abuse laboratory animals. “If any violation of the existing rules takes place, we will ensure that the study is made void, and the violators brought to books,” he warned.
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