Using Insects To Test For Drug Safety

[TZ]

ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2009) — Insects, such as some moths and fruit flies, react to microbial infection in the same way as mammals and so can be used to test the efficiency of new drugs, thereby reducing the need for animal testing. Dr Kevin Kavanagh from the National University of Ireland – Maynooth, presented his research findings at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.



Neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell and part of the mammalian immune system, and haematocytes, which are cells that carry out a similar function in insects, react in the same way to infecting microbes. Both the insect and mammalian cells produce chemicals with a similar structure which move to the surface of the cells to kill the invading microbe. The immune cells then enclose the microbe and release enzymes to break it down.

Insects such as fruit flies (Drosophila), Greater Wax Moths (Galleria) and a type of Hawkmoth (Manduca) can be used to test the efficacy of new antimicrobial drugs or to judge how virulent fungal pathogens are. It is now routine practice to use insect larvae to perform initial testing of new drugs and then to use mice for confirmation tests. As well as reducing by up to 90% the number of mice required, this method of testing is quicker as tests with insects yield results in 48-72 hours whereas tests with mice usually take 4-6 weeks.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907214310.htm

This is very good news for many many reasons...not the least of which is that it would cut the cost of research and therefore it might make drug prices come down...

[Buzz Clik]

1. PETA won't like this. Not one bit.

They're already throwing paint on people wearing woolly worm coats. This will just add fuel to the fire.


Child flaunting his woolly worm nose warmer.

[kestrel91316]

2. I'll never take any drug that hasn't been tested on mammals first.

There are too many differences between mammalian metabolism and insect metabolism.

Sorry.

[laconicsax]

3. You'll take them and like it!

Differences be damned.

[TZ]

4. Some labs are using Zebra Fish as test subjects...

[Nihil]

5. Guess they want their answers in black & white?

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