New assays may reduce live animal testing

Washington -- U.S. regulatory agencies say they've approved two new assaying methods that are expected to reduce live animal testing for ocular safety products.

The approval came from the U.S. Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, or ICCVAM -- a committee composed of representatives from 15 federal regulatory and research agencies that use, generate or disseminate toxicology testing information.

Officials said the alternative test methods -- the bovine corneal opacity and permeability assay and the isolated chicken eye assay -- are the first scientifically valid alternative methods to gain regulatory acceptance for ocular safety testing.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it will now accept those tests instead of the conventional ocular toxicity test for the purpose of classification for labeling under the Federal Hazardous Substance Act.

"Based on an extensive database of product test results, the use of these two alternative test methods will likely reduce the use of live animals for eye safety testing by 10 percent or more," said Dr. William Stokes, executive director of ICCVAM. "More importantly, the use of these tests will eliminate the testing in animals of most substances likely to cause the most severe pain and discomfort."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.