London: The UK government on Tuesday unveiled a £75-million (USD 98 million) strategy aimed at phasing out animal testing in scientific research, transitioning to advanced alternative technologies. The plan, introduced by Science Minister Patrick Vallance, outlines a roadmap to reduce and ultimately end the use of animals in research and safety testing, while ensuring rigorous standards for human health and environmental protection are maintained.

According to Philippines News Agency, the government emphasized that the strategy aims to ‘support work to end animal testing wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.’ The strategy sets specific deadlines, such as ending regulatory animal testing for skin and eye irritation and skin sensitization by the end of 2026. By 2027, mouse-based tests for measuring Botox potency will be replaced with DNA-based methods, and by 2030, studies on dogs and non-human primates to track drug movement in the body will be significantly reduced.

The government has highlighted that new technologies, including organ-on-a-chip systems, AI-driven safety predictions, and 3D bioprinted tissues, will create ‘lifelike environments for studying human biology’ and provide more reliable data for medicines and chemicals. Animal Welfare Minister Sue Hayman stated, ‘By harnessing our scientific excellence, we can deliver real benefits for animal welfare while advancing innovative research that improves lives.’

The strategy’s implementation will be overseen by a new committee chaired by Vallance, with key performance indicators scheduled for publication next year. It also includes provisions for training early-career researchers, establishing research priority lists, and enhancing global leadership in regulating non-animal methods. Vallance remarked, ‘This is a roadmap which will ensure government, businesses, and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively.’