Korea Bio Association Holds Public Hearing on Legislation to Promote Alternative Animal Testing

Held at the National Assembly on the 14th

A public hearing on the development, dissemination, and promotion of the Animal Alternative Testing Act will be held at the National Assembly.

The Korea Bio Association announced on the 11th that it will hold the "Legislative Public Hearing on the Activation of the Animal Alternative Testing Act," co-hosted with Democratic Party lawmakers Nam In-soon and Han Jung-ae, and People Power Party lawmaker Seo Jeong-sook, on the 14th at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room 8 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building. The Korea Humane Society International (Korea HSI) is co-organizing this legislative public hearing.

The hearing will begin with a presentation by lawyer Seo Guk-hwa from PNR (Law Firm Woollim), a legal group specializing in animal rights research, who will discuss the purpose and key contents of the Animal Alternative Testing Act, as well as analyze bills submitted during the 21st National Assembly. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic "Stakeholders' Opinions on the Animal Alternative Testing Act."

Professor Cho Young-jae from Bundang Seoul National University Hospital will serve as the chair of the panel discussion. Panelists include Kim Si-yoon, Chair of the Academic Committee of the Korean Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments (Professor at Konkuk University); Cho Seong-bo, Outside Director of Cellames (Professor at Gachon University); Seo Bo-ra-mi, Policy Director of Korea HSI; Kim Yong-tae, CEO of Mepzgen; Kim Ji-ae, Officer of Clinical Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Lee Yoon-sook, Director of Special Toxicology at the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation; Jo Gwang-yeon, Officer of Chemical Substance Policy Division at the Ministry of Environment; Seo Jeong-gwan, Director of Risk Assessment Research Division at the National Institute of Environmental Research; and Na Young-eun, Director of Agricultural Materials Industry Division at the Rural Development Administration.

Lee Seung-gyu, Vice Chairman of the Korea Bio Association, said, "The amendment of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bill excluding mandatory non-clinical trials and the development of new technologies in the clinical phase should be recognized as a trend reflecting changes in clinical environments and technologies." He added, "It should proceed with sufficient industry feedback, focusing on the purpose of providing a growth foundation and new opportunities for new drug development."

Seo Bo-ra-mi, Policy Director of Korea HSI, stated, "To activate the Animal Alternative Testing Act from development to regulatory introduction, it is important to support related technological fields and establish an ecosystem where not only the private sector but also the government, academia, and related ministries can communicate." She added, "Through this public hearing, we aim to incorporate voices from both public and private sectors to ensure the prompt passage of the Animal Alternative Testing Act within the term of the 21st National Assembly."

There have been two legislative proposals to promote the Animal Alternative Testing Act. In December 2020, lawmaker Nam In-soon introduced the "Act on the Development, Dissemination, and Promotion of Animal Alternative Testing." In December 2022, lawmaker Han Jung-ae introduced the "Act on the Development, Dissemination, and Promotion of Animal Alternative Testing," which focuses on sharing information and supporting research and promotion of animal alternative testing at the government-wide level.

Poster for the Legislative Hearing on the Activation of Alternative Animal Testing Methods.
[Photo by Korea Bio Association]

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