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The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), an influential body of peers that advises the government on policy issues, has now observed that banning use of animals in labs completely might not be such a great thing after all. The academy has compiled a report that goes to India’s ministry of environment and forests next month.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had suggested banning use of lab animals for research some time back. However, the draft bill that came in July last year was not taken very well by one and all. Subsequently, INSA held its own consultation sessions and found that completely eliminating the use of lab animals would be detrimental for life science and medicine students. Their line seems to be: “reduce use of animals in labs — yes, completely remove them from labs — no”.

Animal rights activists worldwide have been clamouring for the ban for long. Their suggestion — replacing animals with computer simulations and models — has not been received well by sections of science teachers in schools and Universities.

At least in India, it doesn’t look like we might have seen the end of the debate yet as it appeared when UGC released its guidelines last year.