14 Feb 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Animal experimentation in medical colleges important for finding better curative alternatives for human health and animal welfare” opine Scientists during the inauguration of Conference on “Use of Animals and Alternatives in Biomedical Research” at Amity
With the rising debate on the use of animals and /or alternatives in teaching and research, Amity Institute of Pharmacy commenced two day Conference on “Use of Animals and Alternatives in Biomedical Research with special reference to Drug Discovery and Drug Development” at Amity University, Sector- 125, Noida.
The Conference has been organized under the aegis of Committee for the purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) and is being attended by leading Academicians, Scientists, Researchers, Policy makers, Veterinarians, Pharmacists, Animal breeders and NGOs across the country
Prof. SK Gupta- Professor (Emeritus), Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR), New Delhi; Dr. KC Gupta, Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow, , Dr. K C Singhal- Vice Chancellor, NIMS, Jaipur, Dr. S L Bodhankar- Professor and Head, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharti Vidyapeeth University, Pune, Dr. Arun Gupta- General Secretary, Indian Pharmacy Graduates' Association (IGPA), Dr. Leena- Expert Consultant, CPCSEA, Prof. S S Agrawal- Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University and Advisor, Amity Institute of Pharmacy and Maj Gen K J Singh- Group Vice Chancellor, Amity Universities inaugurated the Conference .
Welcoming the august gathering, Prof. S S Agrawal- Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University and Advisor, Amity Institute of Pharmacy highlighted the importance of the use of animals in determining the efficacy of already established and newly discovered drugs. He advised the Pharmacists, Scientists and Biologists to take into consideration the well being and health of the animals while using them for pre-clinical trials. Prof. Agrawal outlined the various sessions and Awards that will be conferred for Best Paper Presentations and Poster Display during the two days of Conference
Sharing his views on the “Importance of animals in bio-Medical Research”, the Chief Guest Prof. SK Gupta- Professor (Emeritus), Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR), New Delhi stressed that pre-clinical studies on animals is necessary and narrated various fatal incidences in the medical history of India, which eventually made animal experimentation mandatory by regulatory authorities. Citing the reasons behind the use of animals for pre-clinical trials, the speaker said, “the organs and body system of human beings is similar to that of animals and animals are also susceptible to same diseases that effect human beings. Moreover, short life span of animals allows their life long study.” Prof. Gupta remarked that Computer models and cell cultures, though most often suggested, cannot replace animal research since they have limitations and cannot simulate complicate interactions of the system and Federal Law requires the final testing to be done on living animals or human beings. “Virtually, all medicines, devices and medical procedures have been developed through animal testing and research including Hip replacement surgical techniques, Polio, SIDS (sudden Infant Death Syndrome), Cystic Fibrosis, High Blood Pressure and others” stressed Dr. Gupta. He opined that with the knowledge gained through research on animals, scientists can continue improving the lives of human beings as well as animals.
Dr. K C Singhal- Vice Chancellor, NIMS, Jaipur who is a protagonist of animal use in experiments stressed that without the use of animals in pre clinical trials of new drugs, it would be nearly impossible to find better curative alternatives for human health. He called upon the gathering to think practical and pragmatic and at the same time, ensure that animals are not exposed to any act of cruelty during experimentation. “Several researches which have changed the entire scenario of surgical and medical scenario in India would not have been possible in the absence of animal experimentation and India’s young population which is its asset would have vanished”, opined Dr. Singhal.
Dr. Arun Gupta- General Secretary, Indian Pharmacy Graduates' Association (IGPA) expressed his concern over the fact that at Graduation and Post Graduation level, all experimentation involving animals is banned as a result of which the students who are pursuing Courses in Life Sciences don’t know the art of conducting experiments on animals; they don’t know how to handle them during experiments or give oral administration to them. He stressed the need for adapting some alternatives which can help the students in Medical Colleges to enrich themselves with the research or experimentation done on animals.
Dr. K C Gupta- Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow gave a brief presentation on “Modified Natural Polysaccharides as efficient Carriers for delivery of Bio-molecules”
During the day various interesting sessions took place including “Strategies for Minimizing the use of Laboratory animals in Research and Development” by Dr. Manu Jaggi - Vice President, Dabur Research Foundation, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, “Refinement ensures amelioration of Pain and Distress” by Dr. H. S. Rehan - Professor & Head, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, “Safety Pharmacology in Drug Development: Use of animals and alternatives” by Dr. S S Sharma- Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, NIPER, Chandigarh; “Animal Welfare, Ethics and Regulations” by Prof. B P Nagori- Director, Pharmacy Wing, LMCST, Jaipur and others.