Scientists say EU recommendation understates limitations of animal-free antibody production methods
Researchers and advocates for the humane use of animals in research have expressed concern about a recommendation from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre that the use of antibodies produced using animals is “no longer scientifically necessary, except in rare cases”.
The JRC report, published on 12 May, recommended that animals “should no longer be used for the development and production of antibodies for research, regulatory, diagnostic and therapeutic applications”. It said this was in line with a 2010 EU law that “should be respected, and EU countries should no longer authorise the development and production of antibodies through animal immunisation, where robust, legitimate scientific justification is lacking”.