- Email: [email protected]
Opening address
Toxic. in Vitro Vol. 8, No. 5, pp. 931-932, 1994
Pergamon
0887-2333(94)00164-2
Elsevier Science Ltd. Printed in Great Britain
OPENING ADDRESS
In the last few decades, the pursuit of knowledge has led to major breakthroughs in research. The use of biotechnology, including transgene techniques, has provided us with information to which scientists have not had access previously. As a result of the worldwide H U G O (Human Genome Organization) project, joint research endeavours conducted by scientists in several different countries have begun to give us a picture of the human genome. Although research involving animal experiments will probably be required for many years to come, increasing advantage has been taken in recent years of the possibilities of using in vitro methods at the cellular and molecular levels. On the whole, in vitro methods lead to a reduction in the use of animals for laboratory purposes in studies of origin mechanisms underlying various diseases, in screening and in assessment of the potentially harmful effects of the exposure to humans and the environment to various substances. As a result of the new methods used in modern research, it is now possible to do things that were previously inconceivable and unattainable. We are probably just seeing the start of methodological developments that will give us the prerequisites for discovering major new areas of knowledge which will benefit mankind and the environment in which we live. In parallel with the increasingly rapid application of new research methods, there has also been the speedy development of new products in our society--products which in many cases we do not know enough about. In the last few years, new chemicals and other substances have been used on a wider scale, both in Sweden and in other parts of the world. Extensive international co-operation is under way in the chemicals area, both to establish common norms for testing and to arrive at documentation regarding the harmful effects of different substances. In the OECD, in which Sweden participates, several countries are conducting joint testing activities in order to determine the risks involved in the use of some of the most common chemicals. The chemicals and consumer products which are subject to a more intensive testing process in Europe have traditionally always required extensive animal testing. We can anticipate that demands regarding the documentation of the effects of various substances on the human body and on the environment will continue to increase over the next few years.
In many countries, politicians, scientists and the general public have discussed the question of whether tests on animals in connection with the production of cosmetic products can be justified. In Sweden, this debate resulted in 1988 in a parliamentary declaration of principle to the effect that the production and testing of cosmetics should not involve experiments on animals. In its turn, this declaration resulted in the Government assigning the C F N to study the possibilities of the prohibition of animal experiments in the production and testing of cosmetics. In its subsequent report, the C F N found that there were no alternative methods which could replace animal testing as regards the testing of the allergic effects of cosmetic products. The report also led to a decision by the C F N to arrange a symposium on immunotoxicology and, in conjunction with the symposium, a workshop to examine, among other things, the possibilities of developing in vitro methods for allergy testing. In the European Community, the debate on animal experimentation and cosmetics resulted in a decision earlier this year by the EC Council of Ministers to introduce a ban on such experiments in 1998, provided that alternative methods of testing are available by that date. In my opinion, developments in the chemicals area and the strong preferences expressed for alternative methods of testing for cosmetic products constitute substantial arguments for augmenting the research efforts and evaluation studies which are being conducted into various in vitro methods. It is also obviously important to discuss these matters and to initiate the additional research which may be required. I therefore note with satisfaction that, in arranging its fourth symposium, the C F N has selected a topic which is linked with the increased use of chemicals and the sensitive question of animal testing and cosmetics. The exchange of information and experience and the new research initiatives which may result from this symposium are of considerable interest to researchers and scientists. But this symposium is also of great interest to people outside the research field. It is important for ordinary citizens, both in Sweden and in other countries, that there is a guarantee that rules on testing give us and our environment maximum protection from the harmful and other disturbing effects of new substances. It is, however, 931
932
Opening Address
important to try to eliminate the continued use of animals in testing procedures for chemicals and cosmetics. On behalf of the Swedish Government, I take great pleasure in declaring the symposium on Immunotoxicology and In Vitro Possibilities open. I hope that
you will all feel that you have benefited from the experience gained here in Sweden.
Mats Denninger Ministry of Agriculture, S-I03 33 Stockholm, Sweden
Pergamon
0887-2333(94)00164-2
Elsevier Science Ltd. Printed in Great Britain
OPENING ADDRESS
In the last few decades, the pursuit of knowledge has led to major breakthroughs in research. The use of biotechnology, including transgene techniques, has provided us with information to which scientists have not had access previously. As a result of the worldwide H U G O (Human Genome Organization) project, joint research endeavours conducted by scientists in several different countries have begun to give us a picture of the human genome. Although research involving animal experiments will probably be required for many years to come, increasing advantage has been taken in recent years of the possibilities of using in vitro methods at the cellular and molecular levels. On the whole, in vitro methods lead to a reduction in the use of animals for laboratory purposes in studies of origin mechanisms underlying various diseases, in screening and in assessment of the potentially harmful effects of the exposure to humans and the environment to various substances. As a result of the new methods used in modern research, it is now possible to do things that were previously inconceivable and unattainable. We are probably just seeing the start of methodological developments that will give us the prerequisites for discovering major new areas of knowledge which will benefit mankind and the environment in which we live. In parallel with the increasingly rapid application of new research methods, there has also been the speedy development of new products in our society--products which in many cases we do not know enough about. In the last few years, new chemicals and other substances have been used on a wider scale, both in Sweden and in other parts of the world. Extensive international co-operation is under way in the chemicals area, both to establish common norms for testing and to arrive at documentation regarding the harmful effects of different substances. In the OECD, in which Sweden participates, several countries are conducting joint testing activities in order to determine the risks involved in the use of some of the most common chemicals. The chemicals and consumer products which are subject to a more intensive testing process in Europe have traditionally always required extensive animal testing. We can anticipate that demands regarding the documentation of the effects of various substances on the human body and on the environment will continue to increase over the next few years.
In many countries, politicians, scientists and the general public have discussed the question of whether tests on animals in connection with the production of cosmetic products can be justified. In Sweden, this debate resulted in 1988 in a parliamentary declaration of principle to the effect that the production and testing of cosmetics should not involve experiments on animals. In its turn, this declaration resulted in the Government assigning the C F N to study the possibilities of the prohibition of animal experiments in the production and testing of cosmetics. In its subsequent report, the C F N found that there were no alternative methods which could replace animal testing as regards the testing of the allergic effects of cosmetic products. The report also led to a decision by the C F N to arrange a symposium on immunotoxicology and, in conjunction with the symposium, a workshop to examine, among other things, the possibilities of developing in vitro methods for allergy testing. In the European Community, the debate on animal experimentation and cosmetics resulted in a decision earlier this year by the EC Council of Ministers to introduce a ban on such experiments in 1998, provided that alternative methods of testing are available by that date. In my opinion, developments in the chemicals area and the strong preferences expressed for alternative methods of testing for cosmetic products constitute substantial arguments for augmenting the research efforts and evaluation studies which are being conducted into various in vitro methods. It is also obviously important to discuss these matters and to initiate the additional research which may be required. I therefore note with satisfaction that, in arranging its fourth symposium, the C F N has selected a topic which is linked with the increased use of chemicals and the sensitive question of animal testing and cosmetics. The exchange of information and experience and the new research initiatives which may result from this symposium are of considerable interest to researchers and scientists. But this symposium is also of great interest to people outside the research field. It is important for ordinary citizens, both in Sweden and in other countries, that there is a guarantee that rules on testing give us and our environment maximum protection from the harmful and other disturbing effects of new substances. It is, however, 931
932
Opening Address
important to try to eliminate the continued use of animals in testing procedures for chemicals and cosmetics. On behalf of the Swedish Government, I take great pleasure in declaring the symposium on Immunotoxicology and In Vitro Possibilities open. I hope that
you will all feel that you have benefited from the experience gained here in Sweden.
Mats Denninger Ministry of Agriculture, S-I03 33 Stockholm, Sweden