Ban Botox Testing Bill introduced in the Dáil

Ban Botox Testing Bill introduced in the Dáil

A “massive” loophole in the law banning animal testing for cosmetic purposes allows testing of mice for the production of Botox, it has been claimed in the Dáil.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said there is a ban on animal testing for cosmetic purposes across the EU but because of the loophole Botox can be tested on animals “even when it is produced for cosmetic rather than medical purposes”.

Mr Murphy made the claim as he introduced his Animal Health and Welfare (Prohibition of Animal Testing for Botox) (Amendment) Bill in the Dáil, as a “warning shot” to corporations to introduce humane alternatives to animal testing.

Rabbit Pyrogen Test to be deleted from Pharmacopoeia

Rabbit Pyrogen Test to be deleted from Pharmacopoeia

Pyrogen detection is essential for ensuring the safety of parenteral medicines. For decades, the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) has been the traditional method.
The RPT involves measuring the rise in body temperature in rabbits following intravenous injection of the substance to be examined.

Despite multiple efforts to encourage medicine developers to move away from the RPT, the test is still widely used to detect pyrogenic substances, consuming a large number of rabbits worldwide.

Demonstration against Live Export

Demonstration against Live Export

Ethical Farming Ireland are holding a live export protest outside Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin on July 9th from 12:00 - all individuals and groups welcome.

Whilst the UK has just banned live export, Ireland continues to send thousands of unweaned calves on long journeys to cruel veal farms and thousands of young bulls are sent on gruelling sea journeys to countries with no animal welfare regulations in place and appalling standards.

Demonstration against slaughterhouse violence

Demonstration against slaughterhouse violence

Sentient Rights Ireland request support for a demo top of Grafton St, Dublin in June 29th from 12 Noon to 2.00pm - all individuals and groups welcome.

Express your horror at Shannonside slaughterhouse and the other 85 slaughterhouse's in Ireland, the 44 knackeries and several other places where horses and farmed animals are whacked and disappear, then enter the food chain for humans or domestic animals without any proper traceability.

IAVS Chairperson on Near FM for WDAIL

Catherine Morrow Chairperson for The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society spoke to Near FM in Dublin City Centre about the high numbers of mice being used in Ireland to test for Botox. The IAVS together with SAFRIreland, NARA, Sentient Rights Ireland and The Party for Animal Welfare were handing out leaflets to the public to commemorate World Day for Animals in Laboratories.

Strong scientific support for animal consciousness

Strong scientific support for animal consciousness

Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient

Far more animals than previously thought likely have consciousness, top scientists say in a new declaration — including fish, lobsters and octopus.

Bees play by rolling wooden balls — apparently for fun. The cleaner wrasse fish appears to recognize its own visage in an underwater mirror. Octopuses seem to react to anesthetic drugs and will avoid settings where they likely experienced past pain.

All three of these discoveries came in the last five years — indications that the more scientists test animals, the more they find that many species may have inner lives and be sentient. A surprising range of creatures have shown evidence of conscious thought or experience, including insects, fish and some crustaceans.

That has prompted a group of top researchers on animal cognition to publish a new pronouncement that they hope will transform how scientists and society view — and care — for animals.

World Day For Animals In Laboratories 2024

World Day For Animals In Laboratories 2024

The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society, SAFRIreland, NARA, Sentient Rights Ireland and The Party for Animal Welfare will be commemorating World Day for Animals in Laboratories on Wednesday April 24th at 13:00 in Dublin City Centre.

We will be highlighting the thousands of animals suffering in Irish laboratories with a leaflet drop outside the Stephen's Green shopping centre in Dublin City. Join us in spreading awareness and commemorating the suffering of millions of animals all over the world.

€125 million invested into animal-free innovations

€125 million invested into animal-free innovations

The Dutch National Growth Fund will invest 124.5 million euros in a new centre for animal-free biomedical testing. Of this investment, 55 million euros are awarded directly and 69.5 million euros are granted subject to conditions. Known as the Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation, its aim is to generate safer, more effective treatments, while reducing animal suffering.

The Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation (CPBT) will use this funding from the National Growth Funds (NGF) to accelerate the transition to animal-free biomedical innovations. This will offer economic and social benefits with improved medicines and less animal testing.

Replacing Botox testing to reduce severe suffering

Replacing Botox testing to reduce severe suffering

Botulinum toxin (Bt) is a neurotoxin which induces muscle paralysis by blocking neurotransmitters. Bt is used for treating medical conditions (such as migraines and lazy eye), and in cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The manufacture of Bt products is approved for medical purposes – and the use of animals in testing procedures is authorised for that reason. However, huge numbers of practitioners use them “off-label” for aesthetic treatments. “Off-label use” is known to be widespread, but it is not known what percentage is used for cosmetic versus medical applications. Indeed, there has been a documented surge in demand for Bt-based products within the cosmetic industry. In 2022, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimated over 9 million “Botox” treatments were administered, a global increase of 26.1% compared to 7 million in 2021.

As Bt is a biological product, the potency of each batch needs to be tested and assured before it can be used in humans. The standard method, an LD50 assay using mice, determines the lethal dose that kills 50% of test animals. The increasing demand of Bt products has involved large numbers of animals undergoing ‘severe’ procedures.

Temporary experiment ban at French primatology center

Temporary experiment ban at French primatology center

Pro Anima Scientific Committee has been working for more than 30 years to accelerate the transition to non-animal research for the benefit of our health.

At the request of the Pro Anima Scientific Committee association, the Administrative Court of Strasbourg, by judgment of January 30, 2024, deliberated in favor of the cessation of the activities of the primatology center of the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) due to possible risks of environmental contamination.

Since the very beginning of this case, the Pro Anima Scientific Committee has been concerned about the multiple risks linked to experimentation on non-human primates, which could cause health problems and risks for the environment.

To this end, the Committee asked the Huglo-Lepage advocate firm to take charge of this file.

On January 30, 2024 and after several years of proceedings, the Court ruled in favor of stopping the center’s activity, with immediate effect.