Lab-grown skin to cut animal testing

Published on Thursday 26 July 2007 00:10

HUMAN skin grown in laboratories could soon be widely used to replace animals in the testing of chemicals, researchers said yesterday.

Experiments have shown that the tissue - called Episkin - could more accurately predict how a person might react to chemicals, such as those used in cosmetics.

It is hoped the material could also be used in medical research, according to a report in New Scientist magazine.

Estelle Tessonneaud developed the skin with colleagues at L'Oreal's labs in Lyon, France, using skin cells called keratinocytes which were left over from breast surgery.

Animal testing of cosmetic products has been banned in the UK since 1997.

But the testing of individual chemicals for a number of purposes, including some which may end up in cosmetic products, can use animals.

However, new European laws mean that testing on animals will be increasingly limited in the coming years.

Dr Chris Flower, from the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said:

"This new development will not only benefit the cosmetics industry, but also medical research and other industries using chemicals."