Alternatives to animal use
Organisations and databases
EURCA (European Resource Centre for Alternatives in Higher Education)
EURCA was established in 2000 to actively promote the use of alternatives to using animals in higher education and as a mechanism for effective dissemination of useful information about alternatives to the higher education community. It comprises a collection of (mostly) technology-based alternatives. Product information can be found on the EURCA website including basic descriptive information supplemented by reviews and evaluations. Information about EURCA projects also can be found on the website.
www.eurca.org
LAWTE (Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange)
The Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange (LAWTE) aims to promote an information exchange among those involved in delivering animal welfare programs to those who work with laboratory animals. Information about LAWTE activities can be found on its website as well as information about training programs, materials and services. A LAWTE listserv allows members to share ideas and to discuss specific issues.
www.lawte.org
NORINA
The NORINA database contains detailed factual information on over 3.600 audiovisual aids and other alternatives that may be used as a replacement to animal use as a supplement to reduce the numbers of animals used in a situation where total replacement is not possible. Records have been sorted into over 30 types e/g/ CD_ROM, video-film etc., and into one or more of over 30 categories e.g. anatomy, physiology etc., to aid searching. A detailed data sheet is provided for each item which includes a detailed description, supplier details and related reference resources.
http://oslovet.veths.no
AVAR (Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights)
AVAR maintains an extensive data base on alternatives to animal use in education which can either be searched online or viewed under categories (anatomy, anaesthesia, pharmacology, physiology and surgery).
www.avar.org/
Interniche
InterNICHE is the International Network for Humane Education which aims for a high quality, fully humane education in biological science, veterinary and human medicine. InterNICHE supports progressive science teaching and the replacement of animal experiments by working with teachers to introduce alternatives, and with students to support freedom of conscience. InterNICHE offers a range of resources to provide information and support to teachers and students including information about alternatives. InterNICHE has set up a web-based network to facilitate sharing experiences regarding the use and implementation of alternatives.
www.interniche.org
The Interniche publication 'from guinea pig to computer mouse: alternative methods for a progressive, humane education' is a very comprehensive resource for current information on, and availability of, an extensive range of alternative methods and models. This publication and the accompanying video, 'Alternatives in Education' that showcases examples where conventional animal use has been replaced by alternative methods in life science education can be obtained from Animals Australia.
www.animalsaustralia.org
University of California Center for Animal Alternatives (UCCAA)
The UC Center for Animal Alternatives was established to improve to well-being and quality of life of research animals but also to optimise their contribution to education and research through the collection and dissemination of information on alternatives. The site contains valuable resources on alternatives in education (resources, organisations and policies), humane endpoint, environmental enrichment, monoclonal antibodies, the 3R’s, which is Repalcement, Reduction and Refinement.
www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/Animal_Alternatives/main.htm