Better Science XI. PERSONAL CHOICES Individuals, groups and organizations can choose to not directly participate or support the continued use of animal-based safety testing protocols. Instead they can: Promote and live a "green" lifestyle and workplace, keeping the use of chemicals to a minimum; avoiding the use of "new" or "improved" products and purchase only cruelty-free household and personal care and business products. If they are members of an environmental organization that promotes increased testing of new or existing chemicals, individuals can suggest that such activities only involve the use of alternatives and a prohibition of animal-based methods. Do not contribute to health charities that still rely on outdated, cruel and inefficient animal research. Support NEAVS efforts to create a more humane and safer world for animals and humans by promoting the development, validation, adoption and acceptance of replacement alternatives for all current uses of animals in basic biomedical research, product development and safety testing and educational demonstrations. In addition to what has been accomplished during the past twenty years, given sufficient motivation, financial support and official endorsement, there is no compelling reason why the vast majority of animal-based safety tests could not be replaced within the next four to five years. These would include: eye irritation skin sensitization skin penetration nephrotoxicity (kidney) hepatotoxicity (liver) neurotoxicity (brain/nerves) endocrine disruptors the blood-brain barrier acute systemic toxicity chronic systemic toxicity chemical carcinogenesis As noted more than two decades ago, the development and use of replacement alternatives is only limited by the imagination of the investigators involved, financial support and the level of personal and professional cooperation and commitment of industry, politicians, administrators, basic researchers, applied scientists, animal advocates and regulatory officials in support of achieving the goal of better and more compassionate science. There is no doubt that replacement alternatives are the future of biomedical research, testing and education and that this can happen sooner rather than later. Your support for NEAVS and its programs will help hasten this inevitable and necessary transition away from animal-based experimentation, testing and teaching and toward science and science education governed by progressive scientific thought and compassionate ethics. << Back To Contents I Next Section >>

Other NEAVS Fact Sheets: Benefits of Non-Animal Tests | Xenotransplants | Animal Welfare Act | Limitations of Animal Tests | Non-Animal Product Safety Test Alternatives << Back to Better Science  | Home