The research is funded through the European Union's Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6, 2002-2006). In particular, two new EU research integrated projects, ReProTect and A-Cute-Tox, will be on display. Advances in bio-medical research for new treatments and drugs, the European Union?s new chemicals policy (REACH) and the testing requirements of the amended cosmetics directive will be discussed at the briefing.*/ "The newly developed alternative test methods supported by the EU will substantially contribute to the three Rs of reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experimentation and testing, also guaranteeing the highest safety standards for consumers and patients, respect for the environment and animal welfare," says Commissioner Busquin. "Fostering the Three Rs can only be achieved if there is a joint effort between scientists, national administrations, industry, NGOs and European policy-makers."

The on-site media briefing at the Scientific Institute of Public Health (IPH, Rue Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, 14:30-18:00), project partner in EU funded research projects, will give journalists the opportunity to visit laboratories and learn about two new EU research projects to develop alternative testing methods.

What are the "three Rs"

Reduction aims to obtain reliable information by using fewer animals, or more information from the same number of animals.
Refinement alternatives focus on methods that alleviate or minimise pain, suffering and distress.
Replacement alternatives aim to gather equivalent scientific results without conducting experiments on animals.

Advantages of modern alternative testing methods developed within the new research projects presented today are that:
1) the same experiments can be used for drugs, chemicals and cosmetics without using animals
and 2) the tests compare toxicity directly between cell or tissue experiments (in vitro) and the effects on humans (in vivo), thus not requiring any animal experiments.

Further information: For the thematic priority on life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health in the EU Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6) see also: http://www.cordis.lu/lifescihealth/home.html.
The web site of the Scientific Institute of Public Health (IPH) can be found at: http://www.iph.fgov.be.
In Vitro Testing Industrial Platform (IVTIP) http://www.ivtip.org.
Prince Laurent Foundation for the welfare of domestic and wild animals: http://www.fondation-prince-laurent.be.
European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra (Italy) http://ecvam.jrc.it/index.htm.