25-04-2025
Scientists in Delhi rally for humane, animal-free research on world lab animal day
On the occasion of World Day for Laboratory Animals, Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International India), in collaboration with the Society of Young Scientists(SYS), All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, organised a walkathon in Delhi to urge scientists to 'think outside the cage' and shift to more human-relevant, nonanimal approaches in research and testing. The two-hour event began in AIIMS's Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium and attracted150 students, researchers, doctors and around 90% of drugs tested on animals failing in human trials, researchers worldwide are moving away from outdated animal models toward more human-relevant systems, including sophisticated organs-on-chips (such as human liver and lung models), organoids, advanced cell culture techniques and computational methods. These methods not only reduce the need for animal use but also promise more accurate results for human cutting-edge non-animal technologies are increasingly being recognised and authorised by regulatory bodies around the world to test the safety and efficacy of drugs.
'This collaborative effort reflects how strongly the young scientists of India feel about incorporating modern, animal-free approaches in their research embracing the most advanced scientific tools available, they are not only supporting innovation and public health but also setting a new benchmark for ethical research," said Dr Harshita Mittal, senior manager for research and toxicology at Humane World for Animals World Day for Laboratory Animals, SYS AIIMS emphasises the importance of humane research practices, translational research and the 3Rs, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, in fostering innovation that improves both human and animal health,' said Naresh Kumar, chairman, SYS World for Animals India has been advocating for non-animal methodologies across different sectors, including biomedical research, drug development, chemical and vaccine batch release testing since the organisation also organised a workshop in collaboration with the Biotechnology Industrial Research Assistance Council, the Department of Biotechnology, GoI and the Division of Strategic Alliances, Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India on creating a roadmap for funding such technologies.
