Gaithersburg, Md. — Animals don’t have to suffer for your cosmetics, cleaners, pesticides, or drugs. The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. is donating $50,000 in equipment to the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a nonprofit laboratory in Gaithersburg that conducts and develops animal-free test methods. IIVS will use the VITROCELL® Cloud inhalation exposure system — instead of animals — to assess the effects of substances on the human respiratory tract.
Manufactured by German-based VITROCELL Systems, the Cloud system mimics realistic human exposure to chemicals that may be inhaled. It yields more human-relevant results than the current method of forcing rats in narrow tubes to inhale toxic substances for hours before finally being killed.
“The PETA International Science Consortium is committed to helping researchers conduct animal-free inhalation testing, and one of the best ways to do this is by donating essential equipment,” says Dr. Amy Clippinger, president of the Science Consortium. “The Cloud system is an important addition to IIVS’ respiratory toxicology laboratory, and we’re confident that this donation will lead to better protection of human health and spare animal lives.”
“We are very appreciative of the Science Consortium’s continued support of our mission,” says Erin Hill, president of IIVS. “This donation allows us to expand from an initial focus on tobacco to address the respiratory toxicology needs of the personal care industry.”
Today’s announcement follows the Science Consortium’s 2017 award of $400,000 of VITROCELL® equipment to four laboratories in the U.S., the U.K., and Belgium. Along with awarding testing equipment to replace the use of animals in inhalation testing, the Science Consortium funds the development of animal-free methods, hosts webinars and workshops, and much more.
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The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. works to accelerate the development, validation, and global implementation of animal-free testing. It was established in 2012 to coordinate the scientific and regulatory expertise of its members — PETA U.S., PETA U.K., PETA Germany, PETA India, PETA Netherlands, PETA France, PETA Asia, and PETA Australia. The Science Consortium and its members have donated millions of dollars toward helping to reduce and replace animal use.
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., is a nonprofit research and testing laboratory dedicated to the advancement of in vitro (non-animal) methods worldwide. Founded in 1997, the Institute is unique in its position as a high-quality testing laboratory while also offering technical and educational resources to advance the field.
For more information, please visit PISCLtd.org.uk or IIVS.org.