PETA, together with the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and the Dr. Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, has developed an alternative strategy for the testing of chemicals for potential “endocrine-disrupting” effects that does not involve killing animals in cruel poisoning studies. The following is a simplified comparison of the current WWF-endorsed strategy and PETA’s proposed alternative strategy:

[Insert tables comparing current and alternative strategies]

PETA wrote to the WWF on August 30, 2002, to invite the organization to endorse our non-animal-testing strategy and to work with us in a cooperative effort to persuade the EPA and other world governments to adopt this humane and viable strategy as a framework for current and future chemical-testing programs. In October, former Beatle and friend of animals Sir Paul McCartney blasted the WWF for being the driving force behind the EPA’s endocrine program and for continuing to pressure government agencies around the world to require more animal testing. Click here to read Sir Paul’s letter. As a result of this letter, the WWF agreed to consider PETA’s non-animal testing strategy. Scientific experts from PETA have met with WWF representatives in an attempt to convince them that they, as well as the EPA, should abandon their double standard favoring animal tests and devote more time and money to the development of non-animal test methods. Negotiations are still ongoing.