The UK government has unveiled plans for a faster phase-out of animal testing in science.
New funding of £75m will go towards developing alternative testing methods as part of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy, published on 11 November.
Animal testing for cosmetic products is banned in the UK.
However, animal testing is currently used elsewhere in some cases to determine the safety of products, such as vaccines, and the impact of chemicals on people and the environment.
Other options, such as organ-on-a-chip technology, where tiny devices using real human cells mimic how human organs work, and 3D bioprinted tissues, will be explored to achieve the goal of animal-free testing in some areas as early as 2026.
Researchers will also look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to analyse the large amount of data available to predict whether new medicines will be safe and effective on humans.
The plans lay out a detailed timeline for the phase out, starting with an end to regulatory testing on animals to assess the potential effects of new treatments to cause skin and eye irritation, as well as skin sensitisation, by the end of 2026.
Researchers are expected to end the testing of botox-strength on mice and use only DNA-based lab methods for adventitious agent testing of human medicines by 2027.
A reduction in pharmacokinetic studies, which track how a drug moves through the body over time, on dogs and non-human primates, is also planned by 2030.
“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,” said Science Minister Lord Vallance.
“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.”
Around £60m of funding will be used to set up a hub bringing together data, technology and expertise to promote collaboration between researchers, as well as a separate new centre to make the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives as straightforward as possible.
A further £15.9m has been committed by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Innovate UK and the Wellcome Trust to advance human in vitro models.
The move could also benefit cosmetics companies, the government said in a statement, potentially opening up new opportunities to test potential products which cannot currently be under existing rules.
The new strategy will also include training on alternative methods for early career researchers, and publication of a list of research priorities for alternative testing methods at least every two years starting from 2026.
The strategy, which seeks to position the UK as a global leader in the regulation of alternative methods, has been welcomed by the beauty industry.
“The CTPA [The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association] warmly welcomes the strategy’s clear commitments and robust accountability framework, which together provide a strong foundation for success,” said Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at CTPA.
“We are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of the UK’s ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and products highlighted within the strategy as a powerful case study in the transition toward non-animal approaches.”
Ethical British beauty brand Lush welcomed the commitments by the government, but urged them to go further.
“25 years ago, the UK ban on cosmetics testing on animals created a huge increase in the rapid development and validation of better science for product safety testing,” the company said in a statement.
“Similarly, we need to rip the bandaid off medical, chemical, and other areas of research still using old animal models, in order to incentivise the drive for innovation of modern non-animal research.
“Requirements to test on animals have slowed down scientific progress for too long, and the UK needs to again lead the way.
“While a roadmap can show us the way, only firm deadlines and legislative bans can lead to the innovation we need to end all animal testing for good.
“We stand ready to work with the government and other stakeholders to make that happen.”
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