§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress being made in research relating to cell culture techniques designed to replace the use of animals in experiments.
§ Mr. MellorI have been asked to reply.
I understand that very considerable progress has been made in the use of cell cultures. They are now routinely used in the early screening of new chemicals and, over the whole field of biomedical research, we understand that there are now more experiments using in vitro alternatives, such as isolated organs, tissues, cells or cell constituents than whole animals.
The Government welcome this progress and are taking active steps to promote it further. All licensees under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 are regularly reminded of the need to develop and use alternatives wherever practicable. Under the new legislation proposed to replace the 1876 Act they will be effectively required to do so. In addition, the Government have made a substantial grant to the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments for its work on the development and use of cell cultures.