NEWS: An All-Party Parliamentary Group is urging the UK government to look once again at animal testing for medical research which it says could be hindering new advances due to its high failure rate.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Human Relevant Science has argued that animal testing is actually holding back the development of novel medical treatments for humans. 

In a report published this week, the group observed that as many as 92 per cent of all drugs and treatments are eliminated at human trials, despite having passed pre-clinical testing that includes testing on nonhuman animal models.

The majority of public spending on research and development goes towards animal-based testing, said the group, with just 0.02 per cent of funding used to explore human-relevant technologies. The group called for the government to instead divert money and resources away from animal testing, which it says “have a high failure rate.”

“It has been fascinating to work with the All-Party Parliamentary Group in the evidence-gathering process over the past year,” said APPG Chair Grahame Morris MP.

“I welcome the publication of the report and its findings, which show that human-relevant research has the potential to enhance the productivity of industry, improve public health and cement both the UK’s status as a global science superpower and its reputation for leadership in animal protection.”

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Non-profits working to change the reliance on animal models for scientific research welcomed the group’s report, including Cruelty-Free International and Animal Free Research.

“It is high time that we shifted the assumption that animal experiments are the default and instead create a system where cutting-edge non-animal methods are the norm,” said Kerry Postlewhite, the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Cruelty-Free International.

“We need [the] government to take the lead and we need a clear commitment in UK law to animal-free science.”

Carla Own, CEO of Animal Free Research, added: “Britain prides itself on being a centre of excellence for science.

“But to secure our international reputation as a science superpower, we must not be left behind by relying on outdated animal experiments.

“Government must provide supportive infrastructure, funding, education and training, and regulations that enable human-relevant research.

“Because accelerating human-relevant life sciences is good for human health, good for animals and good for the UK economy.”

Andrew Gough is Media and Investigations Manager for Surge.

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