FRAME BATTLES ON

FRAME News Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments Editor: Anne Jeffery No. 66 April 2011

FRAME News http://www.frame.org.uk

INSIDE...A letter to the Prime Minister 2

APPFG to be revived 3

EU cosmetics testingFRAME viewpoint 3

FRAME poster successes 4

8th World Congressin Canada 5

News from the FAL 6

FRAME annual lecture 7

Vivienne Hunter (1955–2010) 8

FRAME training school 8

ATLA wins award 9

New EU directive: FRAME viewpoint 11

FRAME worldwide 11

How you can help FRAME 12

A number of FRAME’skeenest commercialsponsors have,unfortunately, merged orceased to trade in the lastfew years and thereforetheir support has been lost. Some generous legaciesduring the financial year to31 March 2011 haveensured that FRAME can

continue its work for a while longer, but the charity cannot rely on that happening again this year, so it is

important to take steps to increase income from other donors.

The Trustees are looking for ways to save money in all ofFRAME’s activities, for example, by finding more cost-

effective production and distribution systems for its scientific journal

ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory Animals), and trying to identify new sources

of income as well as securing existing ones. FRAME receives no Government grants and is entirely dependenton gifts and corporate sponsorship.

Meanwhile, FRAME hopes to maintain its momentum insearching for alternatives to the use of animals in medicaland scientific research and in promoting the Three Rs inchemicals and product testing and in education.

As can be seen within these pages, FRAMEis continuing to meet its existing aims, but it is not clear how much longer that can be maintained.

In common with many other charities and businesses, FRAME is facing tougher timesas financial pressures grow. The cost ofmaintaining FRAME, its services and itsresearch, is increasing as prices rise. At thesame time, FRAME’s supporters are facingtheir own challenges and are finding itmore difficult to maintain the level ofdonations they have previously made.

2 http://www.frame.org.uk FRAME News

AN OPEN LETTER TOTHE PRIME MINISTERDear Mr Cameron

We, the undersigned, believe that the trade in wild-caught nonhuman primates forresearch inflicts immense suffering. Despite a ban in the UK on the import of wild-caught primates since 1997, thereis not a similar ban on their offspring who are imported every year from Mauritiusfor British laboratories. The UK is, therefore, perpetuating a trade that centres onthe cruel trapping of wild animals. We call on the Government to completelydisassociate itself from this cruelty and to introduce a ban on the importation ofthe offspring of wild-caught primates as well as those from any facility whichcaptures primates from the wild.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Adams, author, Graham Allen MP, Prof. Michael Balls, Chairman of the FRAMETrustees, Prof. Simon Bearder, Oxford Brookes University, Peter Black AM, Rt Hon DavidBlunkett MP, Annette Brooke MP, Mark Carwardine, zoologist, TV presenter, conservationistand wildlife photographer, Prof. Stephen R L Clark, University of Liverpool, Vernon CoakerMP, Prof. Roger Crisp, University of Oxford; Boston University, Alex Cunningham MP, NicDakin MP, Chris Davies MEP, Rt Hon Nigel Dodds OBE MP, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP,Mark Durkan MP, Jillian Evans MEP, Paul Flynn MP, David Ford MLA, Alliance Party LeaderDon Foster MP, Prof. Robert Garner, University of Leicester, Andrew George MP, RickyGervais, comedian and actor, Sheila Gilmore MP, Zac Goldsmith MP, Jane Goodall PhDDBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, Mike Hancock CBE MP, Robin Harper MSP,Prof. Stephen Harris, University of Bristol, Patrick Harvie MSP, Dai Havard MP, JohnHemming MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Cathy Jamieson MP, Bethan Jenkins AM, Darren JohnsonAM, Jenny Jones AM, Rt Hon CharlesKennedy MP, Simon King OBE, wildlifepresenter, photographer and conservationist,Jean Lambert MEP, Twiggy Lawson, actressand supermodel, Chris Leslie MP, Revd Prof.Andrew Linzey, Director of the OxfordCentre for Animal Ethics, Naomi Long MP,Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party Leader,Michael Mansfield QC, Barrister andProfessor of Law, Meg Matthews, celebritydesigner, Dr Brian May CBE, musician andFounder of Save Me, Kerry McCarthy MP,Robert McCracken QC, John McDonnellMP, Prof. William McGrew, University ofCambridge, Gerry McHugh MLA, VirginiaMcKenna OBE, actress, author and Founderof the Born Free Foundation, Dr AnnaNekaris, Reader in Primate Conservation,Elected member of IUCN Primate SpecialistGroup, Bill Oddie, wildlife presenter andexpert, Jonathon Porritt CBE, writer &broadcaster, Yasmin Qureshi MP, Prof. Janet Radcliffe Richards, University of Oxford, IanRedmond OBE, field biologist and conservationist, Prof.Vernon Reynolds, University ofOxford, Linda Riordan MP, Prof. Bernard E Rollin, Colorado State University, Prof. MarkRowlands, University of Miami, writer, Adrian Sanders MP, Jenny Seagrove, actress, HenrySmith MP, David Spratt, Chartered Scientist, Chartered Biologist, zoologist, MichaelaStrachan, wildlife presenter and conservationist, Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner,Keith Taylor MEP, Toyah Willcox, actress and singer, Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour’s Leaderin Europe, Prof. Jonathan Wolff, University College London, Leanne Wood AM, SimonWright MP, Benjamin Zephaniah, writer and poet

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FRAME BACKS CAMPAIGNAGAINST WILD-CAUGHT PRIMATES FRAME is supporting a campaign bythe BUAV (British Union for theAbolition of Vivisection) calling forthe UK Government to end any linkswith the trade in wild-caught primatesfor use in laboratories.

Chairman of the FRAME TrusteesProf. Michael Balls was one of thesignatories to an open letter,published in The Times and TheGuardian, calling on the UKGovernment to dissociate itself fromthe trade in wild-caught primates forresearch. A copy was also delivered to10 Downing Street.

As part of the campaign more than100 MPs signed an Early Day Motion(EDM 957) calling on theGovernment to end the UK’sinvolvement in the wild-caught primatetrade. The text of the letter, and thesignatories, can be seen on the right.

The letter is part of the BUAV’s Stopthe Baby Trade Campaign and FRAMEwas present at a parliamentaryreception at the House of Commons,sponsored by Green Party MPCaroline Lucas, designed to promoteit.

The event included the first screeningof a documentary video, whichincluded undercover footage of theconditions in some breeding centresand methods of capturing animalsfrom the wild. Some of the imageswere distressing but the film has beenput together well and is not so graphicthat it repulses the viewer.

FRAME Scientific Officer MichelleHudson said: “The event was veryrelevant to FRAME’s and my ownwork on primates. It highlighted thatdespite strict rules on the use of wildcaught animals in the UK there is stilla lot of work to do to ensure thatanimals from the wild are not used toreplenish breeding stocks and thatliving conditions are vastly improved.This will be particularly importantwhen the new Directive is transposedand steps toward using only F2generation animals are set in motion.”

FRAME News http://www.frame.org.uk 3

FRAME met with a group ofMPs and Parliamentary officialsto discuss relaunching theFRAME advisory group, whichwas first established in 1981.The group was extremelyinfluential during the build upand passage through Parliamentof the Animals (ScientificProcedures) Act 1986.

The All Party Parliamentary FRAMEGroup (APPFG) is a group for membersof both Houses at Westminster. It wasformed to support FRAME’s work andto encourage the Government topromote the use of non-animalprocedures in the UK and elsewhere.

The last APPFG lapsed at the time ofthe General Election, when many of itslong-standing members retired fromthe House of Commons. The plan is torelaunch it, so that the Three Rs willhave a strong voice in future debateson policies that determine the use ofanimals in research and testing.

During the election campaign, FRAMEcontacted all the ProspectiveParliamentary Candidates to askfor their support if theywere elected. As a result,the charity made contactwith a number of newMPs who believe in theThree Rs and areconfident that they cancreate an effective group.

There are a number of new rulesproposed by the EU that will affectresearch and the welfare of animals inlaboratories throughout Europe. Theyinclude the new Directive on theProtection of Animals Used forScientific Purposes and the approach ofa new deadline for a ban on cosmeticingredient testing in animals under theCosmetics Directive. (See below)

APPFG TO BE REVIVED

In July 2010, the European Commissionasked for public comments on the DraftReport on Alternative (Non-animal)Methods for Cosmetics Testing: CurrentStatus and Future Prospects — 2010, inorder “to ensure that each chaptercorrectly reflects the current state of theart and the prospects”. This draft reportwas prepared by working groups ofexperts nominated by the variousstakeholders and chaired by theCommission’s Joint Research Centre(JRC).

The consultation is related to arequirement that the Commission mustinform the European Parliament and theEuropean Council “in case alternativemethods will not have been developedand validated by 2013 for the remainingendpoints that are exempted from the

Amendment to the Cosmetic Directive’sban on animal testing was postponeduntil 2013.

FRAME has made a number ofrecommendations to the Commission anddetails can be found in: M Balls and RClothier. Comment: A FRAME Responseto the European Commission Consult -ation on the Draft Report on Alternative(Nonanimal) Methods for CosmeticsTesting: Current Status and FutureProspects — 2010 ATLA 38, No. 5.The report is available to download freefrom the FRAME website. http://www.frame.org.uk/atla_issue.php?iss_id=115

The BUAV has also produced a detailedreport in response to the EuropeanCommission’s 2010 consultation on itsown draft report on the availability ofalternative methods for cosmetics testing.

The 16-page BUAV report, entitledMeeting the Deadline of the 2013 EUMarketing Ban — A Scientific Review ofNon-Animal Tests for Cosmetics, isavailable at:http://www.buav.org/_lib/userfiles/files/BUAV_ScienceReport-SCREEN.pdf

Cosmetic Directive’s (Directive76/768/EEC) marketing ban until 2013”.The Cosmetics Directive placesrestrictions on the use of animals to testthe safety of cosmetics and theiringredients. Since March 2009 cosmeticscontaining ingredients tested usinganimals can not be marketed in Europe.This ban was extended until March 2013for specific safety issues that still rely onanimal tests; repeated dose toxicity(including skin sensitisation andcarcinogenicity), reproductive toxicity andtoxicokinetics.

FRAME believes the five draft chaptersrelated to these issues do not provide acredible basis for the Commission’sreport to the European Parliament andthe European Council on the cosmeticingredient safety issues for which the 7th

FRAME Viewpoint: Draft Report on Alternative (Non-animal) Methods for Cosmetics Testing: Current Status and Future Prospects — 2010

A highly successful FRAME poster aimed at helping researchers todesign experiments in a way that will minimise the number of animalsused, is to be translated into other languages.

The original poster, Strategic PlanningChart for Reducing Animal Use inBiomedical Science, was drawn up bythe FRAME Reduction SteeringCommittee two years ago. It hasproved so popular with UK universitiesand research establishments that thecommittee has had it translated intoFrench and Spanish.

If the two new versions provesuccessful, there are plans to extendthe series further with translations intoother European languages, includingGerman and Portuguese. The English poster can be downloadedfrom the FRAME website, or printedcopies are available by emailingmichelle@frame.org.uk

4 http://www.frame.org.uk FRAME News

A FRAME scientific poster, Training forReduction, has received an award fromthe European Partnership for AlternativeApproaches to Animal Testing (EPAA).The poster, by FRAME Scientific OfficerMichelle Hudson, and Dr Derek Fry,former Chief Inspector at the HomeOffice, was displayed at the EPAAannual conference Reduction andRefinement: Combining Excellence inScience and Animal Welfare, in Brussels.

The award is given for a posterpresented by universities or NGOs.Posters in the latest competition had tobe related to the theme of Reductionand Refinement. The award offersfinancial support equivalent to €1500to be used for reimbursement ofexpenses related to Three Rs activities,such as support for research,dissemination activities or participationof the authors in relevant conferencesor workshops.

FRAME’s poster described the

extremely successful FRAME ReductionSteering Committee (FRSC) TrainingSchools in Experimental Design andStatistics. There is a recognised needfor improved training in goodexperimental design, to reduce andrefine the numbers of animals used inbiomedical experiments, and the posterexplained how FRAME’s trainingschools help to redress that. As well asdetailing how FRSC has successfullyconducted training over the past threeyears, it also emphasised the need foradditional support so the schools cancontinue to be accessible to scientiststhroughout Europe.

EPAAThe European Partnership forAlternative Approaches to AnimalTesting is an unprecedented voluntarycollaboration between the EuropeanCommission, European tradeassociations, and companies from sevenindustry sectors.

The partners are committed to poolingknowledge and resources to acceleratethe development, validation andacceptance of alternative approaches tofurther the reduction, refinement andreplacement (Three Rs) of animal use inregulatory testing.

Copies of the poster can bedownloaded from the FRAME website.www.frame.org.uk

FRAME WINS EPAAPOSTER AWARD

FRAME’S NEWON-LINE BOOKSHOP

STRATEGIC PLANNINGPOSTER IN TRANSLATION

by optimising animal usage and decreasing wastage from by optimising animal usage and decreasing wastage from poorly planned or badlypoorly planned or badly--sized experiments. sized experiments.

For example, For example, factorial experiments, using treatment factorial experiments, using treatment groups with mixed sex, age or strain, can gain two or groups with mixed sex, age or strain, can gain two or more times the information from the same number of more times the information from the same number of animals as those experiments using single comparisons.animals as those experiments using single comparisons.

Comments from the three training schools already held in Comments from the three training schools already held in association with the Universities of Manchester and association with the Universities of Manchester and

Nottingham. Nottingham.

FRAME has set up Experimental Design Training Schools for EU researchers, to help meet the training need

FRAME has set up Experimental Design Training Schools for EU resFRAME has set up Experimental Design Training Schools for EU researchers, to help earchers, to help meet the training need meet the training need

The content of the course was extremely relevant and useful to me and I will definitely recommend the course to others.

Excellent course, I learned a lot.

Great help to improve my teaching to research students and my own research.

The course was useful for initiating collaborations with colleagues from different areas. It was interesting to spend time

with people from different areas of scientific research.

This course has reinforced my existing method, whilst reminding me of many I

had forgotten.

I found the course helpful and it made me think about lots of different factors.

Group exercises were good for interacting with other participants on the course.

The computer session was most useful and interesting, it puts the rest of the course into

a practical context.

...improved participants’ understanding...improved participants...improved participants’’ understandingunderstanding

Training Schools were developed with support from COST Action B24 and the last two Schools were sponsored by Laboratory Animals Ltd.

TO SUPPORT OR ATTEND A TRAINING SCHOOL EMAIL MICHELLE:TO SUPPORT OR ATTEND A TRAINING SCHOOL EMAIL MICHELLE:

©FRAME 2010

They have had excellent feedback…They have had excellent feedbackThey have had excellent feedback……

For all topics, test scores at the end of the courses were highFor all topics, test scores at the end of the courses were higher or much higher than at the beginning.er or much higher than at the beginning.

To continue this successful training for reduction, further funding is neededTo continue this successful training for reduction, further fundTo continue this successful training for reduction, further funding is neededing is neededThe Training Schools provide researchers from across Europe withThe Training Schools provide researchers from across Europe with an understanding of basic design concepts that they do not seeman understanding of basic design concepts that they do not seem to be gaining from other to be gaining from other sources, and an ability to use more efficient designs for their sources, and an ability to use more efficient designs for their experiments. They stimulate engagement with the Three Rs and useexperiments. They stimulate engagement with the Three Rs and useful discussion between animal ful discussion between animal users in industry and academia on both refinement and reduction.users in industry and academia on both refinement and reduction.

There is demand for this training, but funding is needed to keepThere is demand for this training, but funding is needed to keep costs within the reach of many who would like to attend and forcosts within the reach of many who would like to attend and for any Schools to be held outside the any Schools to be held outside the UK. Although tutor time and expertise are free, costs of accommoUK. Although tutor time and expertise are free, costs of accommodation, facilities, teaching material and tutor travel have to bdation, facilities, teaching material and tutor travel have to be met. e met.

Good experimental design reduces animal useGood experimental design reduces animal use Publications showing faults in

design and inefficient use of animals are common

Publications showing faults in Publications showing faults in design and inefficient use of design and inefficient use of animals are commonanimals are commonFor example, a survey of 271 papers in a spread of good For example, a survey of 271 papers in a spread of good quality biomedical journals found widespread quality biomedical journals found widespread deficiencies, including unclear objectives in some papers, deficiencies, including unclear objectives in some papers, and that and that ““only 62% (75/121) of all the experiments only 62% (75/121) of all the experiments assessed that were amenable to a factorial design (and assessed that were amenable to a factorial design (and analysis) reported using one.analysis) reported using one.””

The authors commented The authors commented ““it seems that a large number of it seems that a large number of the studies assessed did not make the most efficient use of the studies assessed did not make the most efficient use of the available resources (including the animals), by using the available resources (including the animals), by using the most appropriate experimental design.the most appropriate experimental design.””[Reference: Kilkenny C [Reference: Kilkenny C et alet al. (2001) PLoS one 4(11) e7824]. (2001) PLoS one 4(11) e7824]

And a need for training has been recognisedAnd a need for training has And a need for training has been recognisedbeen recognisedA meeting of researchers and statisticians discussing A meeting of researchers and statisticians discussing design and analysis of animal experiments put high in the design and analysis of animal experiments put high in the list of key barriers to fruitful dialogue:list of key barriers to fruitful dialogue:

ResearchersResearchers’’ lack of understanding of the basic principles lack of understanding of the basic principles of statistics and experimental designof statistics and experimental design

Lack of awareness among researchers of how proper Lack of awareness among researchers of how proper design and statistical analysis can benefit sciencedesign and statistical analysis can benefit science

The meeting recommended improved training of The meeting recommended improved training of researchers in experimental design and statistical analysis researchers in experimental design and statistical analysis techniques.techniques.[Reference: Vaughan S (2004) ATLA 32(Suppl.2) 29[Reference: Vaughan S (2004) ATLA 32(Suppl.2) 29--30]30]

Young researchers from across Europe considered Young researchers from across Europe considered themselves to have had not a lot of training in themselves to have had not a lot of training in experimental design.experimental design.[Reference: Howard B [Reference: Howard B et alet al . (2009) ATLA 37(1) 33. (2009) ATLA 37(1) 33--42]42]

Bring together a unique combination of tutors of international standing, with many years of experience in teaching and advising on experimental design or biostatisticsThree and a half days residentialProgress from basic assumptions to complex designsIncrease awareness of the factors that need to be considered when designing an experiment and the associated animal welfare and scientific consequencesInclude many workshop sessions to improve confidence and skillsDiscuss participants’ own design problemsProvide a forum for exchanging ideas and meeting other researchersInvolve only the cost of accommodation and facilities - tutors give their time and expertise for free Attract delegates from across Europe

Features of the Training SchoolsFeatures of the Training SchoolsFeatures of the Training Schools

...and had an impact on research

...and had an impact on ...and had an impact on researchresearch

In a survey of past participants:In a survey of past participants:

50% felt the course had improved their 50% felt the course had improved their research by a large amount research by a large amount

a further 40% indicated a medium a further 40% indicated a medium improvementimprovement[Reference: Howard B [Reference: Howard B et al.et al. (2009) ATLA 37(1) 33(2009) ATLA 37(1) 33--42]42]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:michelle@frame.org.uk

Training for ReductionTraining for ReductionFry D.Fry D.11 and Hudson M.and Hudson M.22

11 c/o FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experc/o FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments)iments)22 FRAME, Russell & Burch House, 96FRAME, Russell & Burch House, 96--98 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham, NG1 4EE, UK98 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham, NG1 4EE, UK

If you are akeen readerand you wouldlike to helpFRAME thenext time youbuy a book,why not log onto our greatnew onlineshop? You canchoose from thousands of titles, both fiction andnon-fiction, and they are all priced at less thanthey would cost on the High Street.

A proportion of every sale will be donated toFRAME to help us keep up our vital work,searching for alternatives to the use of animals inmedical and scientific experiments and testing.

http://frame.eclector.com/

As usual, FRAME will be involved in theevent throughout the five days. FRAMEScientific Officer, Michelle Hudson, willco-chair a scientific session onSystematic Reviews of AnimalExperiments as part of Theme V. Withinthe field of animal experimentation it isnot yet common practice to performsystematic reviews (SR).

Such reviews were introduced to theclinical setting decades ago, and havegained full acceptance as necessarysteps for evidence-based medicine. Inorder to reach evidence-basedlaboratory animal science, SR of animalstudies need to be performed.

This session will focus on whysystematic reviews of animal experimentsare urgently needed, how they need tobe done, and the hurdles that need tobe overcome to ensure that the ThreeRs are being implemented in researchstudies.

The World Congresses on Alternativesand Animal Use in the Life Sciences arethe longest running series ofinternational scientific conferencesdedicated to the replacement,reduction, and refinement of animal usein research and safety testing.

This year’s planned scientificprogramme is diverse, spanning fromtoxicity testing to animal welfare policyto issues unique to farm animal andwildlife research, and is divided into fivethemes.

Theme I: Safety and Efficacy Testing ofChemicals, Pharmaceuticals andBiologicals

Theme II: Policy/Law on Animal Use,Public Engagement and Ethical Review

Theme III: Incorporation of the ThreeRs in Education and Training

Theme IV: Animal Welfare forRefinement and High Quality Science

Theme V: Replacement and Reductionin Basic Research

The Congress will also feature satellitemeetings, multimedia demonstrations,point-counterpoint debates, andreporting sessions on the latestdevelopments in the field.

Michelle will also be taking part in asatellite meeting that will take the formof a training session in experimentaldesign. The session will focus on thekind of work that is carried out at theFRAME Reduction Steering Committeetraining schools. It is mainly aimed atanimal care committee members, and isdesigned to promote the importance ofexperimental design in minimising thenumber of animals required forlaboratory procedures.

Michelle said: “It is a wonderfulopportunity to promote the kind ofwork that takes place at the trainingschools, which have already proved sosuccessful.

“Until now we have only had the chanceto run them in the UK and Europe, butthis is the perfect way to spread themessage internationally.”

FRAME will also be submitting postersfor the scientific exhibition which runsalongside the Congress. It is hoped thatthe award winning training schoolsposter (see page 2) will be among thosechosen by the selection committee.

Director of the FRAME AlternativesLaboratory (FAL) Dr Andy Bennett willalso be co-chairing a session, and FALresearchers will be taking scientificposters, including one on the use ofmicroarrays in toxicity testing.

8TH WORLD CONGRESSMONTRÉAL, CANADAThe 8th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the LifeSciences is being hosted this year by the Canadian Council on AnimalCare (CCAC). The subtitle for the 2011 conference is “The Three Rs– Together it’s Possible”. The five-day event is being staged inMontréal on August 21–25.

The Montréal skyline

The conference venue

Olympic Park/Hochelaga-Masionneuve

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The FAL is trying to increase knowledgeof how the treatment causes thesteatosis by using human cell cultures tomimic different parts of the liver. Usingthe Quasi-vivo® system, the lab cangrow cultures of different types of livercell together, so that they closely mimica human liver. The model also includestypes of cell that are involved ininflammatory and immunologicalelements of liver disease.

Lab director Dr Andy Bennett explained:“A dynamic environment that permitsthe formation of three-dimensional cellcolonies will provide a more accuraterepresentation of a human liver thancells that have been grown two-dimensionally as a monolayer.”

The work will help to identify potentialtherapies that would prevent the sideeffects of the chemotherapy and reducenegative patient outcomes.

The FAL is working closely with medicsand surgeons at the Queen’s MedicalCentre, University of Nottingham, UK,

not suitable for investigating the effectsof oxaliplatin because it does not affectmouse liver.

Dr Bennett added: “The obviousadvantage is that we will be studying ahuman disease in human cells. If ourdata are positive, we might be in aposition to improve patients’ liveswithout having to perform furtherexperiments to confirm that the resultsobtained are applicable to humans(which would be the case, if the researchwas animal-based).“

The modelalso mimics the way in which thechemotherapy is given to patients. Theyusually receive two cycles over a two-week period and the new liver modelenables cells to survive for a month, soit more closely replicates the way thatthe human liver is affected.

“By mimicking, in vitro, as much aspossible, the conditions to which thepatients are exposed during theirtreatment, we have a good chance ofidentifying the events involved incausing the side-effects.”

including Mr Dilip Lobo, Mr JohnHammond, and Dr Guruprasad Aithal.

Dr Bennett said: “Human cells areessential to this project. We rely on thegenerous donations of tissue by patientsundergoing cancer treatment and liversurgery, and on the participation of theclinical team, to seek patient consentprior to the surgery and to provide thetissue in a medium that is suitable forresearch.

“The tissue we receive is surplus toclinical requirements, and wouldotherwise be disposed of as biologicalwaste. This project is particularlyapposite, as the patients who donatetheir tissue will themselves often haveundergone a course of oxaliplatintherapy and the data we generate will beused to try and improve their clinicaloutcome.”

The new liver model does not directlyreplace any existing animal models.Although there are liver disease modelsusing genetically modified mice they are

The FRAME AlternativesLaboratory (FAL)

The FRAME Alternatives Laboratory (FAL) was founded in1983 at the University of Nottingham Medical School byProfessor Michael Balls, Dr Richard Clothier and Dr JeffreyFry. Under the leadership of Dr Andy Bennett, the FAL iscontinuing to discover and develop real alternatives to theuse of animals in research and testing.

NEW LIVER MODEL DEVELOPED AT THE FRAME ALTERNATIVES LABResearchers at the FRAME AlternativesLaboratory (FAL) are working on project toinvestigate the side effects of a type ofchemotherapy used in the treatment of colorectalcancer. The cancer often spreads to the liver andpatients have to undergo surgery to remove partof the organ. The treatment, using oxaliplatin,sometimes causes fat deposition in the liver(steatosis), reducing its ability to recover fromthe surgery.

The next stage

Once steatosis is achieved in the cellcultures, the lab will try toblock/reverse the condition by usingwell-tolerated FDA-approvedtherapies (such as fish oil). Sampleswill be examined for evidence ofsteatosis and results will bequantified by using a cell stainingtechnique, which allows the degree offat accumulation to be measured.Analysis of gene expression will beused to determine the effects ofoxaliplatin upon metabolic genefunction.

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FRAME News http://www.frame.org.uk 7

Human micro-lungDr BéruBé’s team are working on ahuman micro-lung that can be generatedfrom cells harvested from donatedhuman bronchial epithelium. The cellsare from medical waste, such as autopsyor biopsy samples that would otherwisebe thrown away. The research team canuse them to create differentiated andorganised cells that together closelyresemble human lung tissues.

AdvantagesThe micro-lungs can be used to testairborne pollutants and have several

Researchers at the University of Cardiffare looking into new non-animalmethods to test air pollutants. Leadingthe research is Dr Kelly BéruBé, whogave the twelfth FRAME Annual Lectureentitled: Alternatives for Lung Research:Stuck Between a Rat and a Hard Place.

Dr BéruBé explained the workings of thehuman respiratory system and some ofthe diseases that can affect it, forexample, asthma and emphysema,fibrosis (an inability to expand thelungs), and circulation problems.

Air pollutionOne of the main causes of lung diseaseis air pollution and half the world’spopulation lives in areas with poor airquality. Traffic, industrial developmentand other causes, such as smoking,produce a number of potentially toxicgases and generate particulate matter,which has a direct effect on health andultimately increases death rates.

Particles of different sizes affectdifferent areas of the respiratorysystem, with finer materials able topenetrate further into the body.Traditionally, toxicology testing fordamage caused by particulate matterhas been carried out on rats byexposing them to known pollutants andthen killing them and sampling differentparts of the respiratory system toidentify biomarkers that demonstratetissue damage. These results are thenextrapolated to humans.

InexactSuch animal tests are inexact for severalreasons: rodent lung anatomy andphysiology are very different from thoseof humans; rats breathe only throughtheir noses, not through their mouths;and the test doses applied are muchhigher than those that could realisticallybe experienced by humans.

FRAME ANNUAL LECTUREadvantages over rodent preparations. Aswell as requiring no animals, they arefrom an unlimited source, are non-invasive, relatively inexpensive andprovide actual human data, rather thanneeding animal to human extrapolation.

The illustrations for the talk included a series of 3-D photographs of someof the more common pollutants and the kind ofcellular damage they can cause. The roomlights were dimmed and the audience alldonned red and green glasses to see them. It isthe first time such a technique has been includedin a FRAME Annual Lecture and everyone agreed it was a greatinnovation.

More people die every year from lung disease than heart diseaseand it is estimated that by 2020 the number one killer in Britainwill be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Respiratory illness costs the UK £6.6 billion each year.

Dr BéruBé demonstrates the health effects of increased particulate matter in air.

There are other models that use humancells, cultured on plastic or onmembranes, but the advantage of themicro-lung is that it is in threedimensions, with differentiated cells,and behaves like real lung tissue.

The micro-lung can also be used toinvestigate the mechanisms by whichpollution causes lung damage, which inturn can help to find new treatments.

ReceptionThe lecture was held at the Kennel Club,London.

Viv came to work at FRAME inApril, 1986, as PublicationsSecretary. She proved to be abrilliant technical sub-editor andan excellent proofreader, and sheplayed a crucial role in ensuringthat FRAME’s journal, ATLA(Alternatives to LaboratoryAnimals), maintained its veryhigh production standards, andthat each issue was published ontime. She was the journal’sEditorial Assistant from 1987 to1999, Assistant Editor from2000 to 2005, and ProductionEditor from 2000 to 2006. She

was also Editor for 21 issues of FRAME News.

The period between 1987 and 1994 wasmarked by a particularly memorable workingrelationship between Viv, Gilly Griffin (asManaging Editor), Tony Marson (ourtypesetter), and me (as Editor), during whichmany technical changes were made, resulting inthe journal as it is today. When Gilly emigratedto Canada in 1994, we had a series of young

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Assistant Editors, who were rigorouslytrained by Viv and later went on to higherthings. Subsequently, she also workedeffectively with a series of more-experienced Production Editors.

Throughout her time at FRAME, Viv’shealth steadily deteriorated, as a result ofprogressively severe arthritis. She wasgiven all the available drugs, and had avery demanding series of spinaloperations, bone grafts and vertebralfusions, often accompanied by long-terminfections.

Despite the fact that she suffered longperiods of constant pain, I never heardViv complain, and she always had abeautiful smile. However, by 2005, shehad become too ill to come to work, andhad to embark on yet another series ofintricate operations. She died on 12November 2010, as a result ofcomplications arising from her latestspinal surgery.

Viv and I shared the hope that she wouldone day be well enough to work again forFRAME, in one capacity or another. In amessage to me dated 8 January 2007,she said “Don’t forget me!” — I neverdid, and I never will.

Vivienne Hunter (1955–2010)

Chairman of theFRAME Trustees ProfMichael Balls hasissued a tribute toformer staff memberVivienne Hunter, whohas died.

FRAME is to hold another of itsextremely successful trainingschools in experimental designand statistical analysis. Theschools are attended bybiomedical postgraduates andlaboratory staff and aim toprovide them with anunderstanding of the factors thatneed to be taken intoconsideration when experimentsare planned.

When scientists carry out experiments itis vitally important that they are welldesigned, otherwise they may wasteresources or give the wrong answers.This is especially serious if animals areused. These training schools helpscientists to reduce the number ofanimals they use in their research andmaximise the information they gain inthe process.

Through a series of lectures andworkshops, delegates learn basic designtechniques, statistical methods thatensure data are analysed correctly,practical skills to refine experimental

procedures and the legal and ethical

considerations involved in animalresearch.

The latest school will be held in June atthe University of Edinburgh. It is takingplace with generous sponsorship by theEuropean Partnership for AlternativeApproaches to Animal Testing (EPAA)and Laboratory Animals Ltd.

Previous schools have been heldthroughout the UK and it is hoped thatfuture sessions will be held in MainlandEurope.

Past delegates have included tutors whoare responsible for training youngscientists at their universities or

institutions. They report that thesessions are useful for both themand their students. The schoolsare arranged through the FRAMEReduction Steering Committee.

FRAME Training Schoolin Experimental Design

EdinburghUniversity

FRAME News http://www.frame.org.uk 9

FRAME’s scientificjournal, ATLA(Alternatives toLaboratory Animals),has been presented witha $5000 award by anAmerican alternatives

organisation, in recognition of its influencein promoting the orderly replacement ofanimal experimentation. The William and

Eleanor Cave Award has previouslyalways been given to Americanindividuals, but the awarding body,the Alternatives Research &Development Foundation (ARDF),wanted to stress ATLA’s importancein the U.S.

ARDF President Sue Leary said: “ARDF hasdecided to do something a little unusual this yearand present the award to a journal. In the past ithas been awarded to people, especially scientistsand science or medical educators who have madesignificant contributions to the field of alternatives.The award points to ATLA’s ‘lifetimeachievements’ in helping to create, nurture andsustain an international community of peopleinterested in alternatives. Its impact was felt in

the U.S. at a time when we were still finding our way.”

Professor Michael Balls, Chairman of the FRAME Trustees and Editor ofATLA, received the award at a reception during the 2010 In Vitro AlternativesForum, organised in Alexandria, Virginia, by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences.

He said: “ATLA has grown from its original format of a twice-yearly scientificabstracts summary into a respected bi-monthly international publication. It hasreaders in more than 50 countries and, as a result, influences research andpolicy throughout the world. It is gratifying that the contributions over nearly 40years of many gifted editors, production staff, editorial board members andauthors have been recognised by such an eminent organisation as the ARDF.”

It has long been FRAME policy to subsidise ATLA distribution to interestedparties in countries where the concept of replacement of animals in medicaland scientific experiments is new or under-developed. The $5000 prize willhelp FRAME to continue that policy, at least for the time being.

The award is named after William and Eleanor Cave, who were devotedofficers of The American Anti-Vivisection Society for decades. Theyrecognised the opportunities in developing new technologies and alternativemethods to address the problems of animal experimentation. They dedicatedresources to fund research, eventually resulting in the establishment of theARDF.

Laboratory Animal Welfare Guide

The Joint Working Group on Refinement(JWGR), an association between the BritishVeterinary Association Animal WelfareFoundation (BVAAWF), FRAME, the RSPCAand the Universities Federation forAnimal Welfare (UFAW), has publishedits latest working party report.

It is a guide to defining andimplementing protocols for the welfareassessment of laboratory animals, whichoffers practical guidance on setting upand operating protocols that will ensureeffective observations, identify appropriatesigns of distress, allow understanding ofwhat is normal for the animal concerned,record all findings appropriately, andestablish consistency among observers.

It sets out general principles and givesexamples, as well as making recommendationsdesigned for use by anyone involved inassessing animal welfare, such as techniciansand care staff, veterinarians and scientists. The report is: A guide to defining andimplementing protocols for the welfareassessment of laboratory animals: eleventhreport of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement.P Hawkins, D B Morton, O Burman, NDennison, P Honess, M Jennings, S Lane, VMiddleton, J V Roughan, S Wells and KWestwood. Laboratory Animals Vol. 45 No 1.

ATLA ABSTRACTS:NOW AVAILABLEONLINE FREEDid you know you can access abstracts ofarticles in our scientific journal ATLA(Alternatives to Laboratory Animals)online, free of charge? You will also findfree access to the regular News and Viewscolumn and our Editorials.

Log on to www.frame.org.uk and followthe links on the left-hand side. You willneed to register with us to gain access tothe abstracts but you will not be charged.

ATLA WINSAMERICANAWARD

The William and Eleanor Cave Award is presented torecognise achievements in developing alternatives to thetraditional use of animals in testing, research or education.Over the years, more than $1.5 million have beendistributed in grants to investigators throughout the UnitedStates to develop alternative methods. In addition, ARDFhas sponsored, planned and participated in scientificmeetings and worked to implement progressive policies.

10 http://www.frame.org.uk FRAME News

A new EU Directive on theprotection of animals used forscientific and other experimentalpurposes, was adopted on 22September 2010 in a bid toremove disparities in laws,regulations and administrativeprovisions among the MemberStates.

Scientists are to be givenaccess to data andsamples collected in thenational Biobank projectwithin a year.

THE NEW EU DIRECTIVE:FRAME’S VIEWPOINT

BIOBANK DATA TOBE MADE AVAILABLE

In the past there have been vastdifferences in the levels of protectionafforded to laboratory animals withinEurope, with potential effects on tradein products and substances that aredeveloped using animal experiments, aswell as issues with differing standards ofanimal welfare and scientific quality.

The new Directive purports to be firmlybased on the principle of the Three Rs,

to replace, reduce and refine the use ofanimals for scientific purposes.However, FRAME does not believe thatit goes far enough, and has madeseveral recommendations forconsideration for adoption when the UKGovernment transposes the Directiveinto national legislation. The Directive

will take full effect from 1 January2013.

Details of the FRAMErecommendations can be found on thewebsite but, in brief, they include:limiting the use of non-human primatesto basic research for the good of thespecies; not introducing proposedsafeguard clauses that would allow theuse of great apes; strictly controllingre-use of laboratory animals aftermoderate procedures and banning re-use after severe procedures altogether;securing the continuation andexpansion of the current Ethical ReviewProcess; ensuring that new simpleradministrative procedures do notdiscourage innovation in the Three Rs;carrying out a Home Office review toensure staffing levels are high enoughto complete retrospective assessmentseffectively; introducing a requirementthat Project Licence Abstracts are fullytransparent and informative;establishing a new national committeethat is representive of interests acrossthe full spectrum, including animalwelfare and alternatives research, aswell as lay members.

More than half a million people aged 40to 69 have taken part in the survey overthe last three years, providing the UK’slargest ever health data bank.

The information it holds will be invaluableto researchers in the future. By givingdirect access to human data it will pavethe way for new methods that do notrequire the use of laboratory animals.

A committee is being set up to ensurefair access by scientists and to approve

health research projects. Groupsworking on similar projects will beencouraged to work together.

Biobank’s Chief Scientist Dr TimSprosen said: “In 10 or 20 years timethe things that we will be able toanalyse in the samples may well bethings that scientists have not yetthought about. The next generation,who might still be in primary schooltoday, will actually use new tests andnew methodologies to be able tounlock new secrets in terms of how toprevent diseases.”

FRAME staff were among the 34,000volunteers who attended theNottingham Biobank clinic to provideblood, urine and saliva samples, and toanswer a detailed questionnaire abouttheir health and habits.

(RE)BRANDINGFEMINISM

FRAME supplied information for aconference at The Institute ofGermanic and Romance Studies,School of Advanced Study at theUniversity of London called(Re)Branding Feminism. Among thetopics under discussion was the useof injectable anti-wrinkle treatments.FRAME has campaigned for manyyears to have restrictions placed onthe use of botulinum toxin forcosmetic reasons because of thecruelty involved in testing it.

FRAME believes batches of the toxinshould be tested according to thepurpose for which they will be usedso that those intended for cosmeticuse cannot be tested on animals. Alltrivial, non-medical uses of botulinumtoxin should be stopped until batchescan be tested by humane methods.

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FRAME News http://www.frame.org.uk 11

Education CD indemand

AneducationCD createdby FRAME lastyear is being used in Brazilthanks to a supporter.

Vanessa Carli Bones Sillafirst made contact withFRAME at the WorldCongress in Rome in 2009.Since then she has moved toBrazil where she is studyingfor a PhD in alternatives toanimal use in laboratories.

She requested the CD afterreading about it in theelectronic version of FRAMENews last October. She is apost-graduate researcher atthe Animal WelfareLaboratory in the State ofParaná, Brazil.

FRAME supports SouthAfrican Three Rs campaigns

FRAME has helped two South Africanorganisations in their campaigns topromote the Three Rs.

Copies of the education CD producedby FRAME for UK schools and collegeslast year have been sent to the NSPCA,

South Africa’s onlygovernment appointed anti-

cruelty organisation, for use by itsresearch ethics and special projectsteams. The organisation wasestablished in 1955 and deals withnational issues as well as providingsupport in response to disasters andemergencies. Its inspectors work under a1962 Animals Protection Act and haveresponsibility for the welfare of animalsin many different areas including wildlifeand farm stock as well as laboratories.

FRAME has also sent a package of leaflets,posters and journals to the Faculty of HealthSciences at the University of Cape Town.Scientists there are trying to find ways to replacesome of the animal models used in researchprojects and reduce the number of animalsinvolved. The university’s Faculty of HealthSciences has the oldest medical school in SouthAfrica.

Indian ConferenceProceedings Publishedin ATLAAn International Symposium on

Alternate Models in Biological Research:Present and Future Perspective inToxicology, took place at the IndianInstitute of Toxicology Research in

Lucknow and aconference report andabstracts from thespeakers’ presentationshas been published inATLA (Alternatives toLaboratory Animals)FRAME’s scientificjournal.

The symposium wasattended by morethan 250 peopleand included

speakers from several differentcontinents, from both industry andacademia. Chairman of the FRAMETrustees Prof. Michael Balls said: “Iregret that I could not accept theinvitation to be at the Lucknowsymposium. As Editor of ATLA, I ampleased to publish a report on thesymposium, together with abstracts ofsome of the presentations.”

If you are reading this copy of FRAME News then it isextremely likely that you are already a FRAME supporter orat least agree with its aims.

We carry out regular projects to raise awareness of FRAMEand the work it does. We have links with national andregional press that have helped raiseour profile. Journalistsincreasingly contact us whenthey need comments aboutalternatives to laboratoryanimals and the lawsgoverning their use.

A CD about the ThreeRs has been distributedto schools all over theUK, so an increasingnumber of young

people are learning about us and our work. However, if we are tocontinue to campaign for the development and introduction of validlaboratory methods that do not need the use of animals, we needmore people to be aware of our efforts and our need for support.

Would you consider helping?We can supply leaflets and publicity materials, if you would like to

hold a local event to promote us. Perhaps you have links to yourlocal newspaper or community newsletter, and they would be

happy to print something about us.

If there is some way that you could helpand you would like some leaflets orother items, please call Anne on 0115958 4740 and let her know your plans.Your event could be included in futurecopies of FRAME News and on ourwebsite.

FRAME WORLDWIDE

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT FRAME

Published by:

FRAME Russell and Burch House, 96–98 North Sherwood Street,Nottingham NG1 4EE

Phone: 0115 958 4740

www.frame.org.uk

E-mail: frame@frame.org.uk

RegisteredCharity No. 259464

FRAME’s ultimate aim is theelimination of the need to uselaboratory animals in any kind ofmedical or scientific procedure.

FRAME relies entirely on grantsand donations to carry out its vitalwork promoting the developmentof new and valid methods that willreplace the need for laboratoryanimals in medical and scientificresearch, education, and testing.

It receives no financial supportfrom local or central governmentso any gifts from supporters,either individuals or companies,are always gladly received.

As an independent charity, FRAMEwelcomes any donation, howeversmall, either from individuals orcompanies.

Have you considered any of the following ways to help?

Bookworms…Try out our new online bookshop at http://frame.eclector.com/ where you canfind 1000s of bargains on all subjects. Each purchase helps FRAME and many ofthe books are at less than High Street prices.

Hold an eventWhy not hold an event locally to raise money for FRAME? Emailframe@frame.org.uk with the details and we can supply you with leaflets and otheritems to give away to your guests.

www.justgiving.co.uk/FRAMEIf you do hold an event for FRAME why not use our JustGiving site to boost thefunds even further. It’s easy to register on our site (www.justgiving.co.uk/frame)then tell all your sponsors to make their donations through it. The site handles allthe paperwork and any red tape.

Go electronicWhen you opt to receive information electronically you can save us a huge amounton print and postage costs. That means we can use more of our limited funds tosearch for replacement methods that will remove the need for laboratory animals.Email info@frame.org.uk to be placed on our electronic mailing list.

Do you have an old car that needs scrapping? It can cost a lot of money to have scrap cars taken away and you might notrecoup the cost in value. A new salvage service called Giveacar can collect yourvehicle, free of charge, and then either re-sell or recycle it on FRAME’s behalf.Log on today at www.giveacar.co.uk to help us AND the environment.

DonationsPlease send donations directly to our office (address on the left) as a cheque madeout to FRAME. Or log on to www.frame.org.uk and click on the button marked“Donate Now”. (Please give reference FRAME News)

Gift Aid itAsk for a Gift Aid form. UK taxpayers can opt to give us the tax paid ondonations, so your gift is worth up to 25% more to us.

Corporate sponsorshipThere are many advantages in being a corporate sponsor of FRAME. Emailmoira@frame.org.uk for details of the scheme.

WAYS TO SUPPORT FRAME

FRAME is deeply grateful to the wonderful people who help usregularly by sending donations, holding events and raising funds for usin many other ways. Thank you for your generous support. We couldnot continue our research without you.