FRAME's updated book circulated in Asia

Delegates at the conference, arranged by Mahatma Gandhi Doerenkamp Center (MGDC) for Alternatives to Use of Animals in Life Science Education, will each receive a copy of The Three Rs and the Humanity Criterion.

The book is an updated and abridged version of The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, by WMS Russell and RL Burch, which was first published 50 years ago and has now been revised by FRAME Chairman Michael Balls.

He sought to retain the concepts and flavour of the original, while clarifying some of the language employed, as well as reducing some of the discussions based on uses of animals which are no longer practised. The new book is shorter and has had its language modernised to assist those who use English as a second language.

MGDC is the first ever national centre for alternatives to animals in life sciences and biomedical science to be established in Asia.  It is based at the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

It is named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, who was strongly opposed to vivisection. It was officially inaugurated on October 2 this year, which would have been Gandhi’s 140th birthday. The conference takes place from 19-29 November.

Among the centre’s aims are: to establish a repository of resources as alternatives already available; to generate newer resources; and to offer training to teachers and learners in the alternatives.

The MGDC will also bring together stakeholders in the Three Rs from academia, the scientific community, industry, government and animal welfare organisations at national and international levels. It hopes to raise awareness and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on alternatives, and to translate the Three Rs vision into policy and curricular changes in Indian education and research.

Copies of the book are still available to purchase.  Click here for an order form.