Proposal for a Brazilian centre on alternative test methods

Chantra Eskes,Vanessa De Moura Sá-Rocha ,Kreysa Joachim ,Ekaterina Akimovna Botovchenco Rivera ,Philippe Masson ,Octávio Augusto França Presgrave ,Sandra Coecke ,Dermeval De Carvalho ,Jadir Nunes ,Thomas Hartung

doi:10.14573/altex.2009.4.303

Abstract

Several initiatives have recently taken place in Brazil in order to foster the creation of centers dedicated to alternatives to animal testing. In 2008, Vanessa Sá-Rocha organized a meeting with Brazilian regulatory authorities and the major stakeholders in the field of testing to foster discussions on the process of funding, development, and validation of alternative methods in Brazil. Octavio Presgrave published a scientific article on "The Need for the Establishment of a Brazilian Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods." Also in 2008, Jadir Nunes, together with Dermeval de Carvalho, prepared and presented a proposal to the Brazilian National Agency of Health Surveillance (ANVISA) for the creation of a Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods. ECVAM and other European stakeholders have been involved in the initiatives. Furthermore, also in 2008, a new legislation has been adopted in Brazil regarding the use of animals for scientific purposes ("lei Arouca"). The legislation establishes, among other provisions, the task of monitoring and evaluating the introduction of alternative methods. However, the legislation does not provide for promotion of or information about, existing alternative methods to the larger Brazilian scientific community. In order to streamline the different activities, Chantra Eskes acted as a facilitator by establishing a new joint proposal with the current Brazilian stakeholders, aimed at setting up a Brazilian Center on Alternative Test Methods.

Highlights

In 2005, the Instituto Nacional de Controle e Qualidade Sanitaria (INCQS) organized EMALT (Encontro sabre Metodos Alternativos ao Usa de Animais para Fins Regulat6rios), a meeting on alternative test methods for regulatory use
The roundtable discussions involving Octavio Presgrave, Philippe Masson, and Chantra Eskes led to the conclusion that Brazil would benefit from having an institution for the validation of alternative test methods to favor the development and define the criteria of acceptance of alternative test methods to be used and/or adapted by the Brazilian regulatory framework
In 2008, a new legislation was adopted by Brazil regarding the use of animals for scientific purposes

Summary

Background

In 2005, the Instituto Nacional de Controle e Qualidade Sanitaria (INCQS) organized EMALT (Encontro sabre Metodos Alternativos ao Usa de Animais para Fins Regulat6rios), a meeting on alternative test methods for regulatory use. Few activities took place until last year, when new initiatives were undertaken: - InAugustof2008 ,VanessaRochafromN atura.animportantfsrazilian cosmetics industry, organized a meeting ofBrazilianregulatory authorities and national and international stakeholders in the field of testing to foster discussions on the process of funding, development, and validation of alternative methods in Brazil. - In December of 2008, Octavio Pres grave from the INCQS published a scientific article on "The Need for the Establishment of a Brazilian Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods" (Presgrave, 2008). In 2008, a new legislation was adopted by Brazil regarding the use of animals for scientific purposes (law n." 11.794 or "lei Arouca") It establishes, among other provisions, the task of monitoring and evaluating the introduction of alternative methods (Brazil, 2008). It represents an initial step that could serve as a basis for discussions and, generate consensus on the way to proceed

Current needs

Main Activities and Structure

Expected outcome