Contributions to Alternatives From Italy and Spain

In Italy, a Coordination Group for In Vitro Toxicology was set up in 1984, to spread the Three Rs culture and improve in vitro models to be used in toxicity testing. In 1991, the group was formalised as the Italian Association for In Vitro Toxicology, named CELLTOX. It is still active in the organisation of meetings, and theoretical and practical courses, and in the publication of leaflets and books. The Italian Platform for Alternative Methods (IPAM) is another non-profit association dealing with alternatives in Italy, in which the four different parties involved in animal experimentation (academia, governmental institutions, industry and animal welfare organisations) are equally represented and cooperate to support the Three Rs philosophy. From 1980, Spanish research groups had shown increasing interest in the use of in vitro methods, and from 1992 to 2000, very intense activities were carried out to also include regulatory issues. In 1999, the Spanish Network for the Development of Alternative Methods (REMA) was created. It is a platform to connect the government administration, industry and the organisations interested in the reduction and the more-rational use of laboratory animals, by promoting the development, acceptance and application of alternative methods. REMA has become a recognised consultant for the Spanish Government in terms of the implementation of legal regulations on animal use and alternatives.