The plan offered by the arm of the National Institutes of Health was unveiled during a Tuesday symposium marking the 10th anniversary of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, or ICCVAM. The plan identifies priority areas for research, development, translation and validation activities necessary to achieve regulatory acceptance of alternative test methods.

Traditionally, chemicals, consumer products, medical devices and new drugs are tested on animals to predict toxicity on humans, but scientists are working to promote the development and validation of alternative test methods that reduce the number of animals used in testing, refine procedures so animals experience less pain and distress or replace animals with non-animal systems, officials said.

"By incorporating recent advances in science and technology, new alternative test methods can be developed that will benefit animal welfare żż and that will benefit public health by ensuring continued or improved protection of human and animal health and the environment," said Dr. William Stokes, director of the office that administers ICCVAM.

The plan is detailed at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm

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