The Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) was founded in London in 1969 by Dorothy Hegarty. Its main aim to promote replacement, reduction and refinement, as a way forward for reducing animal experimentation.
This approach focuses on minimising the number of animals used in biomedical research, by replacing experimentation using animals with scientifically proven alternatives that do not use animals and by refining existing practices to minimise the impact of particular procedures, and practises on animals, where they still have to be used.
FRAME’s ultimate aim is the elimination of the need to use laboratory animals in any kind of medical or scientific procedures.
While the charity has gone through an extensive facelift and is sporting a new image, its vision and values are unchanged. Through its own laboratory and desk-based research, FRAME is continually investigating and developing new methods at the forefront of science, demonstrating and promoting scientific excellence to develop new and alternative methods that are scientifically robust and reliable.
Dr Anna Cadogan, Chair of Trustees at FRAME, said: “FRAME has been dedicated to developing relevant and reliable alternatives to animal testing in medical experiments for almost 50 years. All this is about to change, as we use our rebrand as a means of reaching out to and engaging with a wider audience in the scientific community, and the general public to generate much needed financial support to enable us to continue our work.”
“We have also launched a new website, ensuring FRAME is communicating a consistent message across all media, as well as investing in marketing and appointing a Scientific Liaison Officer. This will help us keep close to our corporate supporters, as well as engaging with others interested in reducing the number of animals used in scientific and medical testing.”
FRAME promotes the elimination of the need to use laboratory animals through various activities including campaigning, publication of a scientific journal (ATLA), office-based and laboratory research, and through its educational work.
Dr Cadogan, said: “We collaborate with industry and academia to allow us to share and access new knowledge and expertise. This sharing is crucial for discovering, developing and refining alternatives — and for promoting scientific excellence for ultimate patient benefit.”
