Scientists work to end bear bile trade
Source: Xinhua |
November 11, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE scientists have joined animal rights groups in the search to find substitutes for bear bile, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
"Research and development of substitute ingredients is essential to protect animal welfare and boost technological advancements," said Professor Gao Yimin, an expert on traditional Chinese medicine at the Beijing-based Capital Medical University.
Gao said China's success in developing artificial musk, a substance obtained from male musk deer, could be replicated to save bears from the horrors of bile extraction.
China has 68 registered bear farms where more than 10,000 black bears are kept for bile extraction. These farms produce about 30 tonnes of bear bile powder each year.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile helps cure ailments such as eye and liver problems.
Bear bile powder can sell for as much as 4,000 yuan (US$597) a kilogram.
According to bear rescue charity AAF, around 190 drugs containing bear bile are sold on the Chinese market.
Bile extraction is a very cruel process that often causes liver cancer or organ failure and eventually kills many bears, said AAF veterinary director Heather Bacon.
Of the 345 bears AAF had rescued from Chinese farms, all suffered gallbladder inflammation, said Bacon.
To prevent infection, bears are often given excessive quantities of antibiotics, said Cai Chengyuan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Tests by AAF found traces of antibiotics in samples of bear bile, which could prove harmful to people who consumed the products, said Cai.
In 2001, China's Ministry of Health stopped approving healthcare products containing bear bile. Authorities have also encouraged research of substitute ingredients.
At least 50 herbal and synthetic substitutes have been proved to have the same medical effect, and are much cheaper than bear bile, said Professor Jiang Qi, a herbalist in Shenyang, capital of northeastern Liaoning Province.
Earlier this year, four Chinese pharmacy chains joined the AAF campaign by refusing to sell bear-bile products.
Chinese authorities have agreed to issue no new licenses and work towards ending bear farming across the nation.
"Research and development of substitute ingredients is essential to protect animal welfare and boost technological advancements," said Professor Gao Yimin, an expert on traditional Chinese medicine at the Beijing-based Capital Medical University.
Gao said China's success in developing artificial musk, a substance obtained from male musk deer, could be replicated to save bears from the horrors of bile extraction.
China has 68 registered bear farms where more than 10,000 black bears are kept for bile extraction. These farms produce about 30 tonnes of bear bile powder each year.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile helps cure ailments such as eye and liver problems.
Bear bile powder can sell for as much as 4,000 yuan (US$597) a kilogram.
According to bear rescue charity AAF, around 190 drugs containing bear bile are sold on the Chinese market.
Bile extraction is a very cruel process that often causes liver cancer or organ failure and eventually kills many bears, said AAF veterinary director Heather Bacon.
Of the 345 bears AAF had rescued from Chinese farms, all suffered gallbladder inflammation, said Bacon.
To prevent infection, bears are often given excessive quantities of antibiotics, said Cai Chengyuan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Tests by AAF found traces of antibiotics in samples of bear bile, which could prove harmful to people who consumed the products, said Cai.
In 2001, China's Ministry of Health stopped approving healthcare products containing bear bile. Authorities have also encouraged research of substitute ingredients.
At least 50 herbal and synthetic substitutes have been proved to have the same medical effect, and are much cheaper than bear bile, said Professor Jiang Qi, a herbalist in Shenyang, capital of northeastern Liaoning Province.
Earlier this year, four Chinese pharmacy chains joined the AAF campaign by refusing to sell bear-bile products.
Chinese authorities have agreed to issue no new licenses and work towards ending bear farming across the nation.
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