UK Government Reveals Ambitious Plan to Reduce Animal Testing

Tue Nov 11 2025 15:22:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government has unveiled plans aimed at significantly phasing out animal testing, including several alternative methods to replace traditional testing by 2030.

In a landmark initiative, the UK government has set forth a detailed strategy to reduce animal testing, with a focus on replacing certain practices by the end of the year. This includes a 35% reduction in the use of dogs and non-human primates for human medicine tests by 2030. Science Minister Lord Vallance expressed optimism regarding the future of non-animal testing methods, highlighting advancements in organ-on-a-chip technology, AI, and stem cell research. However, experts share mixed feelings about the feasibility and safety of achieving 'near zero' animal testing.

The government has detailed for the first time how it aims to fulfill its manifesto pledge to work toward phasing out animal testing.

The new plans include replacing animal testing for some major safety tests by the end of this year and cutting the use of dogs and non-human primates in tests for human medicines by at least 35% by 2030.

The Labour Party said in its manifesto that it would partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing.

Science Minister Lord Vallance told BBC News that he could imagine a day where the use of animals in science was almost completely phased out but acknowledged that it would take time.

Animal experiments in the UK peaked at 4.14 million in 2015, driven mainly by a big increase then in genetic modification experiments – mostly on mice and fish. By 2020, the number had fallen sharply to 2.88 million as alternative methods were developed, but since then that decline has plateaued.

Lord Vallance wants to reignite the downward trend by replacing animal testing with experiments on animal tissues grown from stem cells, AI, and computer simulations. He expressed his belief in the potential to reach 'near zero' animal tests in the future, although he warned that this would not be attainable immediately.

According to the latest plans, by the end of 2025, scientists will stop using animals for specific significant safety tests, transitioning instead to newer lab methods utilizing human cells.

One of the leading centers for developing alternatives to animal testing is the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models (CPM) at Queen Mary University of London, which is advancing 'organ-on-a-chip' technology to mimic human organ functions.

These ambitious proposals highlight the government's commitment to change, but professionals within the scientific community caution that while alternatives exist, achieving reliable, safe replacements for complex biological testing remains uncertain and could impact scientific progress.