The UK government has released a new strategy designed to significantly reduce its reliance on animal testing in scientific research and product safety assessment. Science minister Patrick Vallance unveiled the roadmap which emphasises the adoption of advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D bioprinted human tissues and organ-on-a-chip systems—as alternatives to traditional animal models.

A roadmap towards safer, more ethical science

The strategy acknowledges that animals are still used today in safety tests for vaccines, chemicals and other products, but the government says it is committed to replacing these with methods that are at least as reliable for human safety. New funding and regulatory reforms are promised to help accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal methods.

Key milestones include:

• Ending regulatory animal tests for skin and eye irritation and skin sensitisation by the end of 2026.
• Halting tests of the strength of botulinum toxin (“Botox”) on mice by 2027.
• Reducing pharmacokinetic studies on dogs and non-human primates (which track how drugs move through the body) by 2030.

Technologies leading the shift

• AI & data-driven predictions: The strategy highlights that AI can analyse large molecular datasets and predict human-safety outcomes, potentially reducing the need for live-animal exposure altogether
• Organ-on-a-chip systems: These miniaturised devices use human cells to simulate how human organs behave—allowing more human-relevant testing and reducing animal use.
• 3D bioprinted human tissues: From skin to liver analogues, bioprinted human-tissue samples can serve as realistic test platforms and replace certain animal models.

Why this matters

For animals, the shift promises a reduction in suffering and a transition to more ethically sustainable research and testing practices.
For science and industry, the move toward human-relevant technologies (rather than purely animal models) could yield faster, more predictive results, and better translation of findings to humans.
For society, the strategy aligns with growing public concern over animal welfare, and regulatory expectations of safer, more transparent testing regimes.

Challenges ahead

The roadmap is ambitious—but it comes with caveats. Alternatives must match or exceed the reliability of animal tests before full replacement can occur. The minister acknowledged that animal testing cannot be eliminated overnight, but the government says strong collaboration between academia, industry, regulators and animal-welfare groups will be key.
Successful implementation will depend on investment, regulatory coordination and the pace of technological innovation.

Conclusion