Animal testing in science is set to be phased out more quickly under a new plan unveiled by Science Minister Lord Vallance on Tuesday, 11 November.
The comprehensive roadmap backs researchers to seize on new and developing opportunities to replace certain animal tests, which are currently still used – where necessary – to determine the safety of products like life-saving vaccines and the impact chemicals like pesticides can have on living beings and the environment.
The strategy recognises that phasing out the use of animals in science can only happen where reliable and effective alternative methods, with the same level of safety for human exposure, can replace them.
By working in tandem with partners, backing researchers with new funding and streamlining regulation, the plan will enable teams to pivot safely to methods like:
• organ-on-a-chip systems – tiny devices that mimic how human organs work using real human cells
• greater use of AI to analyse huge amounts of information about molecules to predict whether new medicines will be safe and work well on humans
• 3D bioprinted tissues could create realistic human tissue samples, from skin to liver, for testing – providing lifelike environments for studying human biology and checking if substances are toxic
The plan sets out specific commitments for the coming years, marking it out as one of the most detailed of its kind in the world and, according to the Government, opening up new opportunities for the UK to lead on unearthing alternatives to phase out animal tests while growing our economy.
This includes an end to regulatory testing on animals to assess the potential for new treatments to cause skin and eye irritation and skin sensitisation by the end of 2026.
By 2027, researchers are expected to end tests of the strength of botox on mice and to use only DNA-based lab methods for adventitious agent testing of human medicines – the process for detecting viruses or bacteria that might accidentally contaminate medicines.
By 2030 ,it will also reduce pharmacokinetic studies – which track how a drug moves through the body over time – on dogs and non-human primates.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Nobody in our country of animal lovers wants to see suffering and our plan will support work to end animal testing wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.
“This is a roadmap which will ensure [the] Government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively.”
The Strategy is backed by £60 million of funding, which will be used to set up a hub that will bring together data, technology and expertise to promote collaboration between researchers and a separate new centre to make the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives as straightforward as possible.
Alongside the new plan, £15.9 million has been committed by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Innovate UK and the Wellcome Trust to advance promising ‘human in vitro models’.
This includes organ-on-a-chip systems so researchers can test how drugs affect people without using animals, while also unearthing results more relevant to humans.
Five teams across the UK will focus on human in vitro disease models of the liver, brain, cancer, pain and blood vessels.
The overall strategy will be overseen by a committee, chaired by Lord Vallance and involving other government ministers and departments, regulators and funders. Key performance indicators will be published next year to monitor progress.
Other commitments as part of the strategy include:
• providing foundational training in alternative methods for early career researchers from next year
• publishing lists of research priorities for alternative methods at least every two years, starting in 2026
• strengthening the commitment of research funders to alternative methods and increase visibility of available alternatives, including through academic journals
• positioning the UK as a global leader in the regulation of alternative methods
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said: “This strategy is an important step forward for animal welfare in our country. By harnessing our scientific excellence, we can deliver real benefits for animal welfare while advancing innovative research that improves lives.
“It is tremendous news for people like me, who care passionately about animal welfare, that we are now able to move towards a future where animal testing is only ever a last resort.”