Agrandissement : Illustration 1
How can experimenting on animals be avoided? How are alternative solutions being developed and translated into practice? Who are the actors involved in this process? Plunged into the TATABOX universe, players embody the role of researchers in quest for the validation of a novel scientific method that does not involve animals. Such solutions are called NAMs for “New Approach Methodologies” or “Non-Animal Methods” and must be accepted by society.
Valentin Salamone, from Altertox, who conceptualised the original idea explains: “If the general public express concern over animal testing in research, there is a lack of understanding on the solutions available to replace animal models. Within the scientific community, several barriers are slowing down their uptake, starting with the complex validation process of these methods. We designed the TATABOX as a tool to build understanding on the development and use of NAMs and put in all our creativity to make it ludic and convivial.”
TATABOX (Towards Alternatives To Animal testing Box) is an edutainment game designed to steer the discussion around the actors of the NAM ecosystem, namely the scientists developing NAMs, the regulators who validate them, the industries who use them, and the civil society advocating for the replacement of animal testing.
Elaborated with the support of Seriously Fun, Belgium publishers of board games, TATABOX takes the players into the various steps of NAM discovery, from the development of alternatives methods in the labs to the successful replacement of animal testing in the law. It can be played in schools, at university, during training sessions, or at home.
The game will be presented to the public during the “I Love Science Festival'' in Brussels from 14 to 16 October 2022. Based on collaboration with national or international agencies, 3Rs centres, industries and NGOs, Altertox will design several extensions in the future. Demonstrations of TATABOX will start from 6 October 2022. Pre-order is already available.
TATABOX is part of a wider project aiming to promote alternatives to animal testing through games and competitions which was shortlisted for the 2022 Lush Prize in the category” Public Awareness”, the largest prize fund supporting initiatives to end or replace animal testing.
A quiz game for the young generation to play with friends and family is currently under development to grasp ethical, scientific and legal concepts around alternatives to animal testing.
Useful links and information
- Demonstrations of TATABOX can be booked online.
- Pre-order is possible via Altertox website
- 2022 Lush Prize
- I Love Science Festival Brussels