Moths as good as mice for drug tests

Moths, caterpillars and fruit flies could soon take the place of millions of mice used every year by scientists testing drugs, researchers said on Tuesday. The report could mean up to 80% of the mice used for testing new pharmaceutical compounds may no longer be needed. Kevin Kavanagh, a biologist from the National University of Ireland, found that neutrophils, white blood cells that form part of the mammalian immune system, and haematocytes, cells that carry out similar work in insects, react in the same way to infecting microbes. “This method of testing is quicker, as tests with insects yield results in 48 hours whereas tests with mice usually take 4 to 6 weeks. And it is much cheaper too”, he said.

Insect repellent chemical harms nervous system

One of the world’s most common insect repellents acts on the central nervous system in the same way as some insecticides and nerve gases, according to a study released last week. Moderate use of the chemical compound, called deet, is most likely safe, the researchers say. But experiments on insects, as well as on enzymes, showed for the first time that it can interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system. The researchers say further studies are “urgently needed” to assess deet’s potential toxicity to humans, especially when combined with other chemical compounds.