New journal article urges use of animal serum-free media for growing live cells

WASHINGTON--In the March issue of Trends in Biotechnology, scientists and doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recommend using only animal serum-free media to grow live cells in the laboratory. At issue is the use of fetal calf serum, which is obtained by puncturing the heart of a fetal calf without anesthesia. Recent breakthroughs permit the growth of human cells in a medium free of animal serum, enabling scientists and researchers to make cell culture safer and more humane.

"Scientists have access to humane and scientifically superior alternatives, so now is the time to completely eliminate the use of fetal calf serum in the laboratory," says Megha Shah Even, M.S., a staff scientist at PCRM and lead author of the paper. Live cells grown in the laboratory are used for many purposes including the manufacture of drugs and diagnostic kits.

Trends in Biotechnology, based in the United Kingdom, invited Mrs. Even to submit a paper after learning that she spearheaded the development of the world's first animal serum-free insulin assay. In addition to humane concerns, the article emphasizes the scientific advantages of serum-free cell culture. Growing cells without animal serum ensures that fewer variables are introduced into experiments, meaning that results are easily reproducible by different laboratories.

For a copy of the new article published in Trends in Biotechnology, "Serum-free hybridoma culture: Ethical, scientific and safety considerations," or an interview with lead author Megha Shah Even, M.S., please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem@pcrm.org.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animal research.

Jeanne Stuart McVey
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C., 20016
cell: 415-509-1833, tel: 202-686-2210, ext. 316
fax: 202-686-2818
jeannem@pcrm.org
www.pcrm.org

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