World Day for Laboratory Animals(WDLA) is annually observed across the globe on 24th April to highlight the movement to end the suffering of animals in laboratories around the world and their replacement with advanced scientific non-animal techniques.
- The day is also known as World Day for Animals In Laboratories (WDAIL) or World Lab Animal Day.
Background:
The World Day for Laboratory Animals was instituted in 1979 by the Animal Defenders International (ADI)’s campaign partner in the United Kingdom(UK), the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), to commemorate the suffering of millions of animals in laboratories all over the world.
Why April 24?
The 24th April was chosen because it marks the birth anniversary of Hugh Dowding, a British Air Chief Marshal and the former President of NAVS, who was a devoted anti-vivisectionist. He was born on 24th April 1882 in Scotland.
- Vivisection is the practice of performing operations on live animals for the purpose of experimentation or scientific research.
Lab Animal Week (20th to 26 April):
The week surrounding the WDLA is referred to as Lab Animal Week or World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week. The lab Animal week is annually celebrated from 20th to 26th April.
Alternatives to animal testing:
The efforts to develop animal-free methods that are actually relevant to human health for studying diseases and testing products are being taken to eliminate the cruel animal testing.
The alternative methods include sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues (also known as in vitro methods), advanced computer-modelling techniques (often referred to as in silico models), and studies with human volunteers.
About National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS):
i.National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) founded in 1875 was the world’s first organisation campaigning against animal experiments.
ii.NAVS established Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research (LDF) in 1973 to support and fund advanced non-animal methods of scientific and medical research.
