Hundreds of scientists gathered in Visakhapatnam have made a significant pledge to develop alternatives to laboratory animals and minimize their use in scientific experiments. This collective commitment was made during the 13th International Conference on Preclinical Insights from Animal Studies on Drug Discovery and Translational Research.
A Commitment to Ethical Science
The two-day conference, which began on Friday, is being organized by the Laboratory Animal Scientists' Association (LASA), India, at GITAM Deemed to be University. While the participants strongly emphasized the need to find and use alternatives, they also unanimously acknowledged the irreplaceable role lab animals have historically played in helping researchers understand complex disease mechanisms.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Varaprasad Reddy, founder of Shantha Biotechnics Limited, connected the quality of laboratory animals to India's global standing in pharmaceuticals. He stated that for Indian-made biologics to gain worldwide acceptance, robust quality systems with unquestionable data integrity are essential. "High-quality laboratory animals form the foundation of preclinical testing, batch release, and regulatory compliance," Dr. Reddy explained. He stressed that the health, genetic quality, and overall well-being of these animals are directly critical to the reliability of data intended for human use.
The Essential Role of Preclinical Research
Prof. Virander Singh Chauhan, Chancellor of GITAM Deemed to be University, underscored the continued importance of preclinical research. He highlighted its fundamental role in understanding disease mechanisms, evaluating potential drug targets, and most importantly, ensuring safety before any compound proceeds to human clinical trials.
Echoing the theme of responsible science, Dr. Vijay Pal Singh, President of LASA, outlined the association's mission. He affirmed that laboratory animal science is key to conducting ethical and high-quality biomedical research in India. "LASA encourages innovation and nurtures the next generation of laboratory animal scientists through various workshops and training activities," Dr. Singh said. The aim is to strengthen the understanding of global best practices and emerging technologies within this specialized field.
Gathering of Experts
The inaugural session saw participation from a wide array of dignitaries and scientists, including:
- GITAM Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Y. Gouthama Rao
- GIMSR Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. B. Geetanjali
- GITAM School of Pharmacy Principal Prof. L. Srinivas
- LASA Secretary Dr. R.K. Shakthi Devan
- Conference Organizing Secretaries Dr. G. Suhasin and Dr. Jerald Mahesh Kumar
- Conveners Dr. Nitin Yadav and Dr. Hari Shankar Nemani
The event also attracted several specialist scientists from various central research organizations across the country, making it a notable congregation of experts in laboratory animal science and translational research.
The conference in Visakhapatnam marks a pivotal moment, balancing the ethical imperative to reduce animal use with the practical necessity of rigorous preclinical research for medical advancement.
