Inventarío de las Instituciones y Científicos españoles interesados en Métodos Alternativos al uso de animales de experimentación (reducción, refinamiento o reemplazo).

Abstract

An integrated approach to evaluate the use of alternative methods to laboratory animals among Spanish researchers was used, which included the number of scientific articles, the grants approved, the number of laboratory animals used, and inteviews and surveys by the researchers. Most Spanish regions have not been able to implement the Spanish legislation that requires animal experiments only be carried out by competent people on registered establishments, and replaced whenever possible. Ethical committees and the adequate preparation of researchers and technicians should be promoted, and all research grants should require the commitment of researchers to comply with the cited legislation. Spanish scientific production in experimental approaches is only 2.13% of the overall international production. Moreover, the total Spanish investment in R and D should be increased, from the 0.85% of the Gross Domestic Product of 1997, to reach at least the European median (1.9%). The objectives and research tasks included in the National Programme of Health should be revised, and the industry should be asked to fund specific grants for alternatives. Different activities have been organized to promote alternative methods, including the creation of new entities (GEFTIV, ICLAS/CSIC-WGCM, GTEMA and REMA), with the aid of internet network communication (3ERRES-GTEMA http://tox.umh.es/aet/gtema/). A good and effective connection with ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods) is necessary for joint European action pro-alternatives. A substancial number of Spanish groups interested in alternatives were identified (98), 75 very competitive, with more than 339 scientists involved, being their data included in the report.