The UK Government has unveiled a roadmap to replace animal testing with AI-driven options and other alternatives, targeting the elimination of certain regulatory tests by the end of 2026.
Phasing out animal testing in science was one of the UK government's manifesto commitments, and its Science Minister, Lord Vallance, aims to accelerate this process as other methods become available.
"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," he said.
The plan includes DNA-based laboratory methods and computational models to replace animal testing for detecting contamination in human medicines. By late 2026, AI and in vitro techniques will substitute for skin and eye irritation tests, with Botox potency assessments moving from mice to cell-based assays by 2027.
According to government, there will also be a reduction in pharmacokinetic studies, "which track how a drug moves through the body over time – on dogs and non-human primates" by 2030.
The strategy is backed by £60 million in funding to smooth the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives. Another £15.9 million is coming from the Medical Research Council, Innovate UK and the Wellcome Trust, used "to advance promising 'human in vitro models'." This includes technology such as organ-on-a-chip systems, which enable researchers to see what drugs will do to people without using animals.
The UK government said "five teams across the UK will focus on human in vitro disease models of the liver, brain, cancer, pain and blood vessels."
As well as organ-on-a-chip systems, the strategy also gives 3D bioprinted tissues as an example of an alternative to animal testing and checking the toxicity of substances.
AI inevitably features, too: utilizing machine learning to analyze vast amounts of information about molecules to predict the effectiveness of new medicines, employed as a tool by experienced researchers.
An end to testing will not happen overnight, and there are regulatory requirements that drugs must undergo trials with animals before being tested on humans. In addition, mimicking the complexity of many organisms through technology is not straightforward and will likely require years or decades of development before being accepted by regulators.
Barney Reed, science and policy manager - Animals in Science at animal charity the RSPCA, welcomed the roadmap, noting that it "sets a clear ambition towards eliminating animal use."
However, Reed added a note of caution: "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."
The "If" is key here. While momentum has gained pace in recent years, years of work (and investment) are required to remove animal testing from the drug development and regulatory environment.
Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said: "Patient safety relies on robust evidence to develop new medicines and vaccines.
"While the science does not yet exist to fully eliminate animal testing, industry has already made significant strides in reducing, replacing and refining their use and remains committed to driving further advances at pace."
Nicola Perrin, Chief Executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities, applauded the "ambitious roadmap to accelerate the uptake of alternative methods to research involving animals."
"However, importantly, there's also a continued commitment to the use of animals in research where no other options are available. This continues to contribute to many medical advances which save and improve the lives of millions of people.
"It is critical that this isn't put at risk." ®
Source: The register