Anti-Vivisection Group Allocates $50,000 for Animal Testing Alternatives

A prominent anti-animal experimentation organization, the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS), is launching a $50,000 grant to foster research into alternatives to animal testing. The initiative aims to significantly decrease the number of animals used in research, with the ultimate goal of eliminating harm or death to these animals entirely.

Researchers widely welcome this initiative, acknowledging their shared goal of reducing animal usage while emphasizing that animal testing remains vital for scientific advancements. “Nobody wants to use animals for research,” said Jodi Salinsky, an animal welfare officer at the University of Auckland. “We do it because we believe that it is necessary to move forward research that is beneficial for humans, the animals, or the environment.”

Funding for Alternatives in Aotearoa

The NZAVS grant aims to support one or two research teams in developing methodologies that could replace animal testing. Salinsky described the grant as an “extremely positive and proactive way to work with the research community,” highlighting a mutual desire for progress in both animal welfare and scientific discovery.

Despite the positive intentions behind the grant, Salinsky noted that the absence of dedicated public funding for animal alternatives in Aotearoa poses a significant challenge. The principles of the 3Rs—replacement, reduction, and refinement—guide ethics committees in approving research projects, yet funding for alternatives remains scarce. “It’s really appreciated that NZAVS would facilitate a grant for tertiary organizations, especially helpful in such a tough research funding environment,” she added.

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, over 300,000 animals were used in research in New Zealand in 2023, a slight decrease from 324,395 in 2000. Among these, 45,344 animals were killed for tissue use, while 81,443 died or were euthanized during or after experimentation.

Encouraging Innovation in Research

Jade Pengelly, executive officer of NZAVS, expressed hope that the grant would encourage innovative approaches that could lead to a significant reduction in animal usage in scientific research. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate long-term impact, such as curriculum reform or policies aimed at phasing out animal use permanently.

Michael Pankhurst, a senior lecturer and researcher at Otago University and board member of the Australia and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, noted the grant’s potential to catalyze meaningful change. He believes that supporting development for alternative methods could benefit the broader research community.

Pankhurst’s laboratory employs a combination of techniques, including animal studies, cell cultures, computer modeling, and human studies utilizing blood samples and donated tissues. While he acknowledges the increasing use of alternative methods, he also points out that cutting-edge technologies, like organoids and organ-on-a-chip models, come with high costs and limited funding.

He warned against the complete replacement of animal testing in the near future, stating, “By using a range of technologies, overall, this leads to a lower requirement on animal use, but there are still some things that we cannot do without live animal experimentation. I don’t see us completely replacing animal experiments within our lifetime. Without them, we’d be missing out on a lot of important discoveries.”

The application process for the grant is now open and will close in January 2024, marking a significant step toward reducing animal testing in New Zealand. The research community eagerly anticipates the innovations that may emerge from this funding initiative.