Animal testing in Flanders falls to lowest level in a decade
More than 240,000 animal experiments were carried out in Flanders in 2023, the lowest number in a decade, the region's minister for Animal Welfare reports. The aim is to reduce this number further by investing in alternative research methods.
The number varies slightly from year to year. In 2014, there were more than 280,300 animal experiments. The following year, the number fell to around 241,200. Then, in 2017 and 2018, it rose again to more than 260,000. In 2023, Flanders saw 240,833 animal tests, the lowest number in a decade.
The Flemish government wants to further reduce the number of animal tests in the coming years by investing in alternative methods. "Flanders wants to play a leading role in Europe in phasing out animal testing," says Animal Welfare minister Ben Weyts.
"Flanders wants to play a leading role in Europe in phasing out animal testing"
For example, KU Leuven will receive 160,000 euros to develop and disseminate tests using organoids, artificially grown miniature organs made from stem cells. These are scaled-down and simplified versions of a liver or lung, for example, on which researchers can test new drugs.
"This means we can continue to make scientific progress without the need for repeated and increasing animal testing," says the press release.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
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