Animal testing in science would be phased out faster under a new plan to increase the use of artificial intelligence and 3D bioprinted human tissues, a UK minister has said.
The roadmap unveiled by the science minister, Patrick Vallance, backs replacing certain animal tests that are still used where necessary to determine the safety of products such as life-saving vaccines and the impact pesticides have on living beings and the environment.
The strategy says phasing out the use of animals in science can only happen when reliable and effective alternative methods with the same level of safety for human exposure can replace them.
The government said new funding for researchers and streamlined regulation would help develop methods such as organ-on-a-chip systems – tiny devices that mimic how human organs work using real human cells.
Greater use of AI to analyse vast amounts of data about molecules and predict whether new medicines will be safe and work well on humans would be deployed, while 3D bioprinted tissues could create realistic human tissue samples, from skin to liver, for testing.
Other plans under the strategy include an end to regulatory testing on animals to assess the potential for skin and eye irritation and skin sensitisation by the end of 2026.
By 2027, researchers are expected under the strategy to end tests of the strength of botox on mice, while by 2030 pharmacokinetic studies – which track how a drug moves through the body over time – on dogs and non-human primates will be reduced.
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 government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively.”
Barney Reed, the science and policy manager for animals in science at the RSPCA, said: “This strategy sets a clear ambition towards eliminating animal use and supports increased access to the infrastructure, collaborations and resources required to facilitate the further development and uptake of non-animal methods. This will help UK scientists to embrace the high-quality, ethical science needed in a rapidly changing world.
“If supported and implemented effectively, the strategy should create a good foundation for accelerating the replacement of animals, which will be positive news for animals, science and society.”
