ECVAM Suggests Alternatives to FCS

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) endorsed the use of non-animal serum substitutes of fetal calf serum and other animal derived supplements at its 28th meeting, held on May 7-8, 2008.

According to ECVAM's Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC), it endorses the following statement:

The ESAC members recommended to use non-animal serum substitutes of fetal calf serum and other animal derived supplements, whenever possible. For new in vitro culture test methods to be developed the ESAC strongly suggests the use of non-animal alternatives to FCS.

For methods forwarded to ECVAM for validation/pre-validation where this is not fullfilled a justification for future use must be provided, including measures taken to seek non-animal alternatives to FCS.

To access the document, visit http://ecvam.jrc.it/ft_doc/ESAC28_statement_FCS_20080508.pdf.

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