Transparency agreement on the use of animals in scientific experimentation
The Spanish Association of Toxicology (AETOX) adheres to the Transparency Agreement on Animal Experimentation, promoted by the Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE), with the collaboration of the European Association for Animal Research (EARA), launched on 20 September 2016.
We are aware that animal research plays a fundamental role in the knowledge of the biological mechanisms that are involved in diseases and in the development of medical treatments. Without the use of animals, we would not have most of the medicines, antibiotics, vaccines and surgical techniques that are applied in human and veterinary medicine.
Part of the scientific work that is carried out by the members of AETOX, and which contributes to the improvement of people’s lives, is thanks to the use of experimental animals. The welfare of experimental animals is a fundamental issue for AETOX, as is strict respect and compliance with current legislation on the protection of animals used in experimentation and other scientific purposes, including teaching. AETOX advocates that research carried out by its associates meets the highest standards of animal welfare, not only from the point of moral responsibility over them, but also because quality science could not be achieved without animal welfare.
AETOX defends animal experimentation that complies with legal standards and is reviewed by an ethical committee on animal experimentation, which advocates the use of alternative methods, the reduction of the number of animals used, and the refinement of the experimental procedures. No research project that requires the use of animals can begin without the mandatory ethical evaluation and final authorization by the respective competent authority.
AETOX is willing to contribute to improving the knowledge of its associates concerning the use of experimental animals, aiming to ensure that both animal care staff and researchers involved in experimentation have the necessary training. Moreover, AETOX supports transparency initiatives in animal experimentation aimed at society.
AETOX Board of Directors
Access the pdf to see all the organizations adhering to the agreement.