Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) is a non-profit
organization wholly dedicated to the promotion of rapid and
innovative
non-animal testing methods. Founded in 1997, IIVS is recognized
as a leading provider of in vitro testing in support of
toxicological safety evaluations.
Thanks to a $33,000 grant from PETA to the U.S.-based
Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), scientists in China have
received training on how to use a non-animal test that can replace a
crude and painful test on rabbits.
A photo from the training session
source: PETA
IIVS held the training for 30 students and faculty at the Beijing
Technical and Business University (BTBU), which has the largest
university program in cosmetics science in China. The scientists
learned how to use the
Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (in vitro test
method) assay to replace an eye irritation test, in which chemicals
are dripped into the eyes of rabbits.
The students and staff were very enthusiastic to be part of the
training.
