I'll Protect You at WC13 — I'll Protect You

From Sunday, August 31, to Thursday, September 4, 2025, the 13th edition of the World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (WC13) took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil… and Te Protejo was part of this important event!

This conference, held every two years in different regions of the world, is the leading international scientific gathering dedicated to identifying and promoting alternative methodologies to the use of animals in research, education, and product testing. It brings together scientists, regulatory authorities, international organizations, and representatives from the private sector from around the globe, with the aim of raising awareness of these issues in diverse regional contexts and strengthening global collaboration. Hosting the conference in Brazil—and for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere—reflected Latin America’s growing commitment to more ethical and sustainable science.

Previously, in 2023, the twelfth edition had been held at Niagara Falls, Canada. This event marked the 30th anniversary of a series of world-renowned conferences aimed at promoting the replacement of animals in science. At that meeting, participants shared advances in emerging methodologies, such as microphysiological models, innovative computational tools, and regulatory harmonization strategies, which were reflected in major thematic areas including regulation, ethics, education, and predictive toxicology. Another memorable edition was WC11, initially planned for Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 2020, but which, due to the pandemic, was transformed into a virtual conference. This edition demonstrated the resilience of the scientific community and the effectiveness of digital adaptation as a means of keeping the global exchange on alternative methods alive, even during lockdowns.

A Historic Meeting in Latin America

WC13 in Rio de Janeiro emerged as a historic event, where more than 800 specialists from around the world gathered to share the latest advances in alternative methods to animal use and the promotion of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). The program covered four main themes that reflect the conference’s comprehensive approach: human, animal, and environmental health; education; and the integration of the One Health concept:

Te Protejo's Involvement

For Te Protejo, participating in WC13 marked a major milestone, helping to promote alternative methods and foster dialogue with the scientific community, regulators, and civil society.

We were present with an informational booth where we detailed processes such as brand certification, Te Protejo’s work within Chile’s National Bioethics Committee, and the development of its new Research division. At this booth, the Map of Alternative Laboratories in Latin America was also officially unveiled. During the conference, the organization’s Director of Compliance and co-founder, Daniela Medina, presented two notable papers. First, she delivered an oral presentation highlighting the regulatory shortcomings that persist in countries across the region regarding animal testing, particularly in terms of oversight, transparency, and adherence to animal welfare principles and the 3Rs. In addition, she presented a scientific poster documenting the entire Chilean legislative process that culminated in the passage of the law banning animal testing in cosmetics, highlighting the key role of collaboration among industry, legislators, and the public.

Te Protejo’s participation in WC13 underscored the importance of raising awareness, sharing regional experiences, and coordinating efforts to move toward a future free of animal testing, thereby positioning Latin America within the global conversation on innovation, ethics, and science.

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