UK Government Unveils Strategy to Phase Out Animal Testing by 2030

Tue Nov 11 2025 15:37:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A new initiative unveils plans to significantly reduce animal testing in the UK, aiming for a 35% decrease in the use of dogs and non-human primates for human medicine testing by 2030, alongside a complete phase-out of certain safety tests by the end of the year.

The UK government has set forth a comprehensive plan to phase out animal testing, with targets to eliminate certain tests by year-end and a potential 35% reduction in the use of dogs and non-human primates by 2030. Key methods identified for this transition include utilizing human cell cultures, AI, and advanced lab techniques such as organ-on-a-chip technology, although some scientists express concerns regarding the feasibility of completely eliminating animal use in research.

The UK government has revealed its strategy for phasing out animal testing, a commitment made in its manifesto. The initiative outlines a path to eliminate some animal testing within the year and aims for at least a 35% reduction in the use of dogs and non-human primates in testing for human medicines by 2030.

Science Minister Lord Vallance expressed hopes of a future with minimal animal use in science, albeit acknowledging the gradual nature of this change. The government’s blueprint includes advanced alternatives like replacing animal tests with experiments utilizing human cell cultures and AI technologies, particularly the organ-on-a-chip technology.

Historically, animal testing numbers reached a peak of 4.14 million in 2015, largely driven by genetic modification studies. By 2020, those numbers dropped to 2.88 million yet have recently plateaued. Lord Vallance is determined to reverse this trend by incorporating alternative methods and preventing further dependency on animal models.

By the end of 2025, the government plans to cease the use of animals in specific major safety tests, notably the pyrogen test that currently involves administering drugs to rabbits, which will instead use human immune cells in laboratory conditions.

Meanwhile, researchers at the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models at Queen Mary University of London are pioneering organ-on-a-chip developments that replicate human organ functions, enabling drug testing without the need for live animals.

Despite the optimism surrounding these plans, there remain concerns within the scientific community. Prof. Frances Balkwill voiced skepticism about reaching “near zero” in animal testing due to safety considerations in certain complex biological fields where non-animal alternatives may not yet be reliable or adequate.

As the government moves forward with its initiative, calls have been made for increased funding and the establishment of a new validation center for alternative research methods to ensure the smooth transition from animal-based experiments.