culture of caring 

When animals are used in research, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International works with institutions and researchers to serve as a bridge between progress and animal well-being. This coordination is accomplished through the voluntary AAALAC accreditation and assessment process, in which organizations demonstrate that they not only meet the minimum standards required by law, but also go the extra step to achieve excellence in animal care and use. Recently, the Charles River facility in Margate, UK, which breeds research models and provides related services, received full AAALAC accreditation. Charles River is the first and only commercial small animal breeder in the UK to receive AAALAC accreditation.

Genetic toxicology testing is a key element in the development of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and chemicals. Formal GLP testing is required as part of the safety evaluation of all compounds; however, many companies perform non-GLP screening genetox tests very early to avoid expensive failures later. At this point, compound availability is normally very limited, so it is important to minimize usage while ensuring the most accurate predictivity of the outcome of the eventual GLP assays. Charles River now offers in vitro genetic toxicology screening assays where compound requirements may be as little as 10 mg: Bluescreen HC and Bluescreen HC S9 and µAmes.