A southwestern Ontario lab working to end animal testing is closed. The founder says it needs federal money
The lab ceased operations at the University of Windsor on May 31, a spokesperson says
With the closure of a Windsor, Ont., lab working on alternatives to animal toxicity testing, the researcher behind the project says the lab's work is the future — and the federal government needs to step up with money to back it.
The Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods was run out of the University of Windsor. It was founded by Charu Chandrasekera.
But the centre was shut down at the university on May 31, a spokesperson said, as part of a "strategic budget alignment." The university has axed other high-profile programs including its in-house theatre company in recent months.
Chandrasekera, executive director of the centre, says the closure jeopardizes progress Canada had made on ending animal toxicity testing.
"Canada, we have been trailing behind as a nation compared to many other countries around the world. We were very late to the game, but we made monumental advances," Chandrasekera told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning.
She pointed to changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act last year that phased out toxicity testing on animals. It had been a platform promise of the Liberal government, with a pledge to end animal toxicity testing by 2035.
"Now Health Canada has developed a strategic plan on how to implement that legislation. With all of these advances, it is actually extremely disheartening to see that this work is going to be jeopardized."
But unlike centres in other countries, the lab was not federally funded and was backed by the University of Windsor.
"The University of Windsor is a progressive and forward-thinking university and I will always feel grateful for the opportunity that I got to establish this centre here," Chandrasekera said.
LISTEN: A national research centre that used alternatives to testing chemicals on animals has closed at the University of Windsor
"At the end of the day, it is not the responsibility of a single university to support a national institution like this, to support chemicals legislation and chemicals management in Canada. It is more the responsibility of the federal government because this is how it is done in many other countries… so it is time for Canada to really invest in this field."
Health Canada did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
The centre used new methods to do non-animal toxicity testing such as bioprinting human tissue including the liver, gastrointestinal system and lungs for chemical and drug safety.
What made the centre especially unique, Chandrasekera said, were the opportunities for students to learn: They had just established a graduate-level course and were planning a master's program, so that the next generation of students can "think outside the cage."
Animal Justice, an organization that advocates for laws protecting animals, also called for federal support for the lab.
"In addition to providing humane alternatives for animal toxicity testing, CCAAM's work also has great potential to benefit the millions of other animals undergoing other types of agonizing experiments every year in Canadian labs," Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, said in a statement.
Moving forward, Chandrasekera says the centre will likely move to Ottawa if funding comes through.
"A centre like this should be hosted in Ottawa and we are currently making plans," Chandrasekera said. "It is time that we really join forces with the international community to do this, to protect our health, our environment and our economy as well … 10 years from now, this is going to be the norm, not the exception.
"We are all keen to get this moving forward, so I hope the federal government will consider funding this work and to maintain a Canadian national centre."
With files from Windsor Morning