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NEAVS Makes Lush Prize Short List
Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Company Recognizes Legacy of Work 

The Lush Prize for outstanding contributions to replacing animal testing, sponsored by the cruelty-free Lush Cosmetics, named NEAVS to its short list for a 2013 award. All nominees have contributed to advancing animal-free testing through research, training, lobbying, or public awareness.

NEAVS was nominated in the public awareness category for our Project R&R: Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories campaign (releasechimps.org). 

Projects from 14 different countries made the final list, including nominations from India, Brazil, and New Zealand. 

“We are proud to be among the short-listed nominees,” said NEAVS President Theodora Capaldo, EdD. “Given the company we're in, no matter who wins, NEAVS wins – because the animals win.”

Nearly $400,000 in prize money will be shared when the winners are announced Nov. 13.

Breaking Common Ground 

We told you recently about our new NEAVS campaigns, Common Ground: linking advocacy for animals, women, and the environment. Social advocates may have similar end goals, but too often diverging focus dilutes what could be united strength. NEAVS embraces the threads that link us with other progressive movements toward greater effectiveness for all.

Animal Research is Hazardous Waste

Animal use harms: them, us, and our Earth (wastewater from UNC)

NEAVS Director of Research and Investigations, Katherine Groff, MS, has completed a white paper on the harmful environmental impact of using animals in research, testing, and science education. Our work takes a new and important perspective on ending animal testing. Facts we have uncovered include:

• In 2011, 13 of hundreds of facilities engaged in animal research and testing generated ~700 tons of hazardous waste. 
• University of North Carolina’s animal research facility plans to “spray 1.2 million gallons of research waste per year on watershed land."
• In summer 2011 alone, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s emissions from incineration (including animal carcasses and supplies) totaled more than 125 lbs. of volatile organic compounds, 80 lbs. of nitrogen oxides, and 14 lbs. of carbon monoxide every day.
• Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater Superfund Site contains buried animals “potentially contaminated by anthrax.”

“We have sorely underutilized the environmental impact argument when working to end animal testing,” said Groff. “Environmental protection is another compelling reason to stop using animals and instead use animal-friendly, scientifically superior, and environmentally cleaner alternatives.”

Watch for more info on our Common Ground campaign making the animal use/environment link painfully clear (visit Animal Research is Hazardous Waste). 

Women in Science and Alternatives

Supporting women scientists who support alternatives

The deadline for the 2014-15 inaugural Fellowship Grant for Alternatives to Animal Research in Women's Health and Sex Differences is Thursday, Oct. 15. Promising applications have already come in, but we want to be sure as many as possible have the opportunity.

Help us spread the word. Forward this eNEWS or download and post the grant announcement in your college or lab.

NEAVS, along with our affiliate the American Fund for Alternatives to Animal Research (AFAAR), offer a one-year, $40,000 postdoctoral fellowship grant to a woman committed to developing, validating, or using alternatives to animal methods in the investigation of women's health or sex differences in research results.

Watch for developments in our Common Ground women’s initiative.

Toward a Cruelty-Free World

• India Bans Cosmetics Animal Tests - Joining the EU and Israel, India recently banned testing cosmetics on animals. The use of modern, non-animal tests now becomes mandatory.

• China Begins to Budge - China is reviewing its regulations requiring animal-testing for cosmetics and exploring permitting cruelty-free brands.