are cell cultures cruelty free?
By Carlo Jochems, M.Sc. C ceajochems@hotmail.com Cell culture techniques represent a way of performing scientific and medical research without the use of animals who are hampered with. At least that is the view many people hold. However, several steps in the setting up of functional cell cultures may involve the use of animals and hence imply welfare aspects. Consequentially, what is considered to be the major alternative technique in animal experimentation C cell culture C itself implies animal welfare aspects as well. In this paper the focus is on the production method of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and its welfare and ethical implications. To culture cells, tissues or organs in a plastic flask, one has to arrange proper growing circumstances for these cells. This is done by adding so called culture medium to the cells, usually combined with fetal bovine serum (serum is blood without cells and clotting factors). Fetal bovine serum contains many substances which are needed by cultured ce
