Animal Free Research UK’s four priorities for ending animal experiments
The recent publication of the Government’s strategy to replace animal experiments is a welcome first step, but it will need to go further and be more ambitious for us to see a future where no animal suffers in the name of science.
It is a huge opportunity to capitalise on the growing interest in non-animal alternatives and to support more researchers in the UK to transition to human-specific research methods. This is why we have four priorities which we will be focussing on to ensure transparency, accountability and meaningful action that brings us closer to a future where no animal is used in experiments.
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Enshrine the strategy in law
The Government’s strategy contains welcome commitments, but it is only a starting point. To turn the ambition into reality, we need a clear timeline, firm targets and legally binding requirements – which Herbie’s Law would provide.
We are calling on the Government to strengthen the commitments and targets within the strategy and enshrine these in law so that progress becomes a legal obligation, not just a set of aspirations, and so that long-term change continues regardless of political shifts. This approach has already proven effective in other areas, such as the Climate Change Act 2008.
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Replacing the use of animal-derived antibodies
The use of non-animal derived products in research is still limited. This is due to low awareness, gaps in training, limited commercial availability of alternatives and a lack of incentives for researchers to make the switch.
The Centre for Human Specific Research is helping to address this through development of the Recombinant Antibodies & Mimetics Database, which assists researchers to directly replace animal-derived antibodies in their work, while supporting the strategy’s aim to replace the use of polyclonal antibodies by 2030. The database also provides unique and in-depth educational materials around production methods and the benefits of switching to more ethical and effective replacements.
We are calling for Government support to promote and adopt this database across the research sector, giving scientists the tools they need to transition away from animal-derived products more quickly and confidently.
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Ensure Parliamentarians have a seat at the table
The strategy mentions the formation of a cross-government Ministerial committee, chaired by Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Patrick Vallance. We are calling for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Phasing Out Animal Experiments to be included as part of this process. Their cross-party insight and close links to both constituents and expert scientists will be crucial in ensuring accountability, maintaining momentum, and facilitating dialogue with the scientific community.
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Provide clarity and transparency
The strategy leaves several important questions unanswered. To ensure it can be effectively monitored, implemented and improved, we need greater clarity on:
- Which areas will receive increased investment to support use of non-animal methods, how much funding is committed, and who will be eligible for this funding.
- How the proposed ‘translational hub’, an institute combining data, AI, cell engineering, genomics and advanced disease modelling, will be developed, who will lead it, and how it will work with existing research bodies.
- What topics and skills will be covered in the new training for early-career researchers.
- How the Government will encourage journal editors and publishers to tackle “animal methods bias”.
Without this information, the strategy cannot be properly assessed or fully implemented. We are calling for the Government to publish these details and work transparently with the research community.
