ATLA WINS AMERICAN
FRAME’s scientific journal, ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory Animals), has been presented with a $5000 award by an American alternatives organisation, in recognition of its influence in promoting the orderly replacement of animal experimentation. The William and Eleanor Cave Award has previously always been given to American individuals, but the awarding body, the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF), wanted to stress ATLA’s importance in the U.S.
Laboratory Animal Welfare Guide
A WA R D
The Joint Working Group on Refinement (JWGR), an association between the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVAAWF), FRAME, the RSPCA and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), has published its latest working party report. It is a guide to defining and implementing protocols for the welfare assessment of laboratory animals, which offers practical guidance on setting up and operating protocols that will ensure effective observations, identify appropriate signs of distress, allow understanding of what is normal for the animal concerned, record all findings appropriately, and establish consistency among observers.
ARDF President Sue Leary said: “ARDF has decided to do something a little unusual this year and present the award to a journal. In the past it has been awarded to people, especially scientists and science or medical educators who have made significant contributions to the field of alternatives. The award points to ATLA’s ‘lifetime achievements’ in helping to create, nurture and sustain an international community of people interested in alternatives. Its impact was felt in the U.S. at a time when we were still finding our way.”
It sets out general principles and gives examples, as well as making recommendations designed for use by anyone involved in assessing animal welfare, such as technicians and care staff, veterinarians and scientists. The report is: A guide to defining and implementing protocols for the welfare assessment of laboratory animals: eleventh report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/ UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement. P Hawkins, D B Morton, O Burman, N Dennison, P Honess, M Jennings, S Lane, V Middleton, J V Roughan, S Wells and K Westwood. Laboratory Animals Vol. 45 No 1.
Professor Michael Balls, Chairman of the FRAME Trustees and Editor of ATLA, received the award at a reception during the 2010 In Vitro Alternatives Forum, organised in Alexandria, Virginia, by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences. He said: “ATLA has grown from its original format of a twice-yearly scientific abstracts summary into a respected bi-monthly international publication. It has readers in more than 50 countries and, as a result, influences research and policy throughout the world. It is gratifying that the contributions over nearly 40 years of many gifted editors, production staff, editorial board members and authors have been recognised by such an eminent organisation as the ARDF.”
ATLA ABSTRACTS: NOW AVAILABLE
ON L INE F R EE Did you know you can access abstracts of articles in our scientific journal ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory Animals) online, free of charge? You will also find free access to the regular News and Views column and our Editorials. Log on to www.frame.org.uk and follow the links on the left-hand side. You will need to register with us to gain access to the abstracts but you will not be charged.
FRAME News
It has long been FRAME policy to subsidise ATLA distribution to interested parties in countries where the concept of replacement of animals in medical and scientific experiments is new or under-developed. The $5000 prize will help FRAME to continue that policy, at least for the time being. The award is named after William and Eleanor Cave, who were devoted officers of The American Anti-Vivisection Society for decades. They recognised the opportunities in developing new technologies and alternative methods to address the problems of animal experimentation. They dedicated resources to fund research, eventually resulting in the establishment of the ARDF.
The William and Eleanor Cave Award is presented to recognise achievements in developing alternatives to the traditional use of animals in testing, research or education. Over the years, more than $1.5 million have been distributed in grants to investigators throughout the United States to develop alternative methods. In addition, ARDF has sponsored, planned and participated in scientific meetings and worked to implement progressive policies.
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