EARA participated in the 2nd CAM Conference, a two-day scientific meeting hosted by the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), a signatory of the German Transparency Agreement.
The conference showcased groundbreaking applications of the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model –used notably as an alternative predictive model in acute toxicological studies for anti-cancer drugs – while emphasising the importance of applying the 3Rs principles.
EARA events & projects officer, Nuno Miguel Gonçalves, presented on openness in animal research, stressing that the biomedical sector must shift from a stance of defensiveness to one of openness. “We don’t have to be sorry; we have to be transparent,” he said.
Nuno also explained that while CAM testing is not under tight regulatory pressures yet, the increasing relevance and advances of this technology will definitely expose CAM-related research to higher scrutiny from legislators in the EU.
In the subsequent panel discussion on the ethical implications and scientific advancements related to the CAM assay, EARA reinforced the need for proactiveness from the research community in applying standards of procedures and accreditation, from laboratory animal sciences associations.
EARA was also invited to advise in the formation of a study group to explore the establishment of a CAM research association, aimed at forward-thinking approaches to organising and standardising CAM assay applications.