Animal testing is largely disfavored globally, but the world is struggling to find alternatives. Dr. Charu Chandrasekera’s research has proven that there is not only a viable replacement, but one that is cheaper, faster, and more relevant to humans.
Dr. Charu Chandrasekera is the founding executive director of Canada’s first and only research centre dedicated exclusively to alternatives to animal testing-Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM) and its subsidiary, the Canadian Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (CaCVAM)-officially launched at the University of Windsor in October 2017.
Dr. Chandrasekera obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. The ensuing animal-centred research endeavours in heart disease and diabetes gave her first-hand experience to recognize the immutable limitations of-and the impetus to shift away from-animal testing. As an experienced scientist, a former animal researcher, a science policy expert, and an animal lover, Dr. Chandrasekera now advocates for a paradigm shift in which human biology serves as the gold standard.
With CCAAM/CaCVAM, her vision is to promote the replacement of animals in Canadian biomedical research, education, and chemical safety testing through 21st century science, innovation, and ethics. Every Canadian now has the power and the opportunity to contribute to this legacy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
7 апр 2019
