Mandated Alternatives Petition
Who are they?
The Mandatory Alternatives Petition (MAP) coalition is a group of organisations working together to ensure that the US Government implements alternatives to animals in laboratories. It seeks to improve the way drug testing is done in US laboratories before being tested on people.
What do they do?
The MAP has submitted a formal petition asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to mandate the use of scientifically proven drug testing methods that replace the use of animals. The coalition members and the physicians, scientists, and other experts who have signed the Mandatory Alternatives Petition believe it is a necessary step because there has been little progress in the U.S. toward the adoption of scientifically proven methods that give better results and replace the use of animals for drug testing.
The MAP advocate the replacement of animal-based testing methods that are inaccurate, unvalidated, immensely cruel, and often dangerous for human health. The coalition members are concerned at the number of hazardous drugs approved for human use, the harm they're causing millions of people around the world, and the inability of animal testing methods to detect and prevent these serious consequences.
More reliable testing methods are available, and many more are in development, which can produce safer and more effective drugs than current animal testing methods.
How is the BUAV involved?
The BUAV is a leading member of the MAP coalition, representing the EU on the group. This is important as the EU is ahead of the US in enshrining the principle of alternatives in law. The MAP coalition is seeking to ensure a consistent international approach to this issue.
