Something to consider

While the legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act holds much potential for ensuring safer chemicals and healthy families, there needs to be a simultaneous reform in the science behind the regulatory testing in the language of the legislation itself. Current animal models provide rudimentary data which, unfortunately, have come to be recognized as the standard for toxicity testing. Chemicals tested imperfectly can be just as dangerous as those not tested. The National Research Council recently produced a report, "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and Strategy," that specifically addresses the dangers of animal models with a clear-cut plan for bringing the archaic methods of chemical regulatory testing more up to date, with human-relevant, non-animal tests. Speaking up for a reform to the science as well as the regulatory legislation itself will ensure that chemical testing provides more accurate and precise information to better protect ourselves, our families, and future generations.