UK Government Launches Initiative to Phase Out Animal Testing

Tue Nov 11 2025 15:41:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government outlines its plan to eliminate animal testing by implementing alternatives such as lab-grown tissues and AI technologies.

In a significant move towards animal welfare, the UK government has published plans to phase out animal testing by the end of the year. This includes replacing some major safety tests with alternative methods and reducing the use of dogs and non-human primates by 35% by 2030. The government aims to expedite the transition to alternatives, including innovative technologies like organ-on-a-chip devices. However, some scientists express concerns regarding the complexity of biological systems that may not be replicable outside of animal testing.

The UK government is taking steps to fulfill its commitment to phasing out animal testing, introducing plans that aim to replace animal experiments with modern alternatives.

Among the proposed measures is the replacement of animal testing for key safety tests, with expectations set for completion by the end of the current year. Additionally, the government seeks to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in testing human medicines by at least 35% by 2030.

The Labour Party previously stated in its manifesto the intention to collaborate with scientists, industries, and civil society to encourage this significant change.

Science Minister Lord Vallance commented on the viability of a future with minimal animal testing, expressing optimism about the advancements in technologies that could facilitate this transition, but acknowledged that it would require time and substantial effort.

Historically, animal experiments in the UK peaked at over 4 million in 2015, largely due to genetic testing, before declining sharply to around 2.88 million by 2020. Despite this decrease, the numbers have remained stagnant since then.

To re-initiate the decline, Lord Vallance highlighted the potential for using animal tissues grown from stem cells, AI, and computer simulations as alternative methods to traditional testing.

The government's strategy includes stopping the use of animals for major safety tests, transitioning to methods which utilize human cells instead. This integration of cutting-edge technologies is expected to enhance the quality and relevance of scientific findings.

One prominent instance of innovation comes from the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models at Queen Mary University, which is working on 'organ-on-a-chip' technology. This approach allows for experiments that mimic the interactions between human cells from different organs, offering a promising substitute for animal testing.

While this initiative has been welcomed by animal welfare organizations like the RSPCA, some scientists express concern over the implications of a potentially rushed shift toward alternatives, fearing it might hinder crucial research.

As these plans unfold, the scientific community remains alerted to the challenges and opportunities surrounding the future of testing methodologies.