January 2008 NEWS

AltTox.org: New Website Devoted to Non-animal Methods of Toxicity Testing

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Procter & Gamble (P&G) have launched a new website devoted exclusively to non-animal methods of toxicity testing. AltTox.org covers toxicity testing subfields, non-animal technologies, relevant government programs and policies, and challenges and opportunities in validation and regulatory acceptance.

In addition to providing succinct background information on these
topics, AltTox also features a series of discussion forums and invited
commentaries on the way forward in pivotal areas.

The website's content is overseen by an international editorial board of distinguished scientists and policy experts, who also serve as moderators of the discussion forums.

"The HSUS and P&G felt the time was right for a niche website devoted to just one "R"-replacement-and to just one area of animal use-toxicity testing," according to The HSUS' Martin Stephens. "Given recent developments, we have reason to expect that in vitro and in silico methods will all but replace animal-based methods within a generation."