Animal Testing
Background
Animal testing can be traced back to Ancient Greek times, as early as 500 BC. Physician-scientists such as Aristotle and Erasistratus practiced animal testing, with many others throughout history doing the same. In the UK, experiments took place as early as the 17th century, with English physician William Harvey’s experiments leading to the discovery that the heart circulated blood throughout the body. Anti-vivisection groups emerged in the 19th century and began campaigning against animal testing, gaining momentum and putting enough pressure on the Government to regulate the practice.
Despite serious ethical concerns about animal testing, it is still practiced across the UK today.
What are the laws on animal testing?
Cruelty To Animals Act of 1876
A landmark piece of legislation, the Cruelty To Animals Act of 1876 was the first to restrict scientific experiments using animals.
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
This 1986 Act introduced a new system of licensing and supervision emphasising 3 Rs - Replacement (of animal testing methods with other humane means wherever possible); Reduction (in the number of animals subjected to experimentation); and Refinement (in the procedures themselves so as to incur as little suffering to the animal as possible).
1998 and 2013 bans on animal-tested cosmetic products
Introduced in November 1998, the UK was the first country to introduce a ban on cosmetic testing on animals both prevented the testing of finished products and testing of ingredients on animals.
EU Directive 2010/63 regulated animal welfare standards
The Directive, which became UK law in 2013, made it illegal to test cosmetics and their ingredients on animals in the EU, as well as illegal to import and sell cosmetic products and ingredients tested on animals outside of the EU. However, in 2020 a European court ruled that ingredients used in cosmetics could be tested on animals in order to comply with chemicals regulations, which permits animal testing where no alternatives are available.
2015 ban on animal testing on household products
In 2015, a policy ban was instated in the UK for animal testing on household products, as a result of a 2010 coalition government pledge to end the testing of household products and ingredients on animals. However, the ban only applies to the testing of finished household products on animals. Therefore, ingredients used in those products can still be tested on animals.
The Current Situation
It is illegal to test on animals if there are other methods but, according to law, new medicines must be tested on animals before being trialled on humans.
The Home Office reported 2.6 million tests were conducted on animals in British laboratories in 2024, with 1.2 million of these carried out for the creation and breeding of genetically altered animals, 48 thousand assessed as ‘severe’, 16 thousand were carried out on specially protected species (cats, dogs, horses, and monkeys), and almost 12 thousand LD50 procedures were carried out. LD50 (‘lethal dose 50’) experiments involves giving live animals increasing doses of a substance until half of them die, in order to inform scientists of a substance’s lethal dose.
Alternatives to Animal Testing
A Government response issued in May 2023, to the ‘End the use of animals for toxicity tests & prioritise non-animal methods (NAMs)’ petition read “The Government is already supporting technologies to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research and we will continue to review funding for non-animal methods as part of our normal processes.”
In November 2025, the Government announced a plan to phase out animal testing in the UK, introducing a roadmap for alternative methods, developed by the Government, in consultation with life science experts, businesses and animal welfare organisations. The plan includes a pledge of £75 million of funding to research into new methods to replace testing on animals.
Despite these advancements, on the 14th of January 2026, Parliament voted to reclassify animal testing sites as ‘key national infrastructure’. Under the new proposal, the Public Order Act 2023 will be amended to redefine animal testing facilities as ‘national infrastructure’, putting them in the same category as airports, power stations, and major roads, thereby enabling injunctions and bans on protests outside testing sites, even if the demonstration is peaceful. Even intention to protest would be an offence under the Public Order Act 2023, and could significantly impact the operation of animal rights organisations.
As science has developed, so have alternative methods to animal testing. One of the most common arguments lodged against banning animal testing is that, to ensure the safety of humans, medicines and products should be tested on animals first, but how true is this statement?
Animal testing is an unreliable process, with repeated tests often producing different results and effects on animals don’t always reliably predict effects on humans. New technologies and advancements in molecular biology could erase the need for testing in certain areas.
However, it is not possible to completely stop testing on animals as sustainable and effective alternatives are not available for all experiments currently conducted on animals. Developing alternative methods to animal testing is time consuming and costly as users and regulators are cautious about the accuracy of results. Increased funding and research is needed in order to be able to secure a future free from animal testing.
In vitro testing
Evidence suggests that in-vitro studies, use of isolated cells, tissues, or biochemical components could potentially provide quicker, more precise and accurate information than some animal studies.
Computer modelling
The University of Oxford developed computer simulations are capable of outperforming animal testing in drug trials.
Human cell-based studies
Research from the University of Sheffield could remove the need for animal tests when manufacturing clostridial toxin-based medical products: cell-based assays. Researchers engineered human neuroblastoma cell lines which could competently take up toxins and replace the complete intoxication process.
Organ-on-a-chip systems
Organ-on-a-chip systems facilitate research into life-threatening conditions in a controlled way. These involve human cell cultures which are used to create 3D organs-on-a-chip, which mimic human organ systems.
Artificial Intelligence
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) means that the enhancing the translation and reproducibility of animal studies. However, it these systems are mostly used ancillary to animal testing, rather than as a replacement. Can be used to analyse existing data and prevent the need for retesting in some circumstances.
3D bioprinted tissue
In 2024, the first model of a liver was produced without any animal origin materials. Researchers at Technische Universität Berlin produced a liver made from human cells. This is the first animal testing alternative that does not use animal derivatives.
Plant extracts and polymers
Polymers are non-hazardous large molecules, sourced from living organisms sourced from plants, animals and microorganisms. Both can be used in skin sensitisation testing.
Our campaign
We are campaigning for prohibition of the use of animals in testing throughout the UK and the promotion of alternatives to animal testing.
With the recent developments surrounding protesting outside animal testing facilities, it is essential that we continue to put pressure on the Government to reinforce the right to protest and stop putting the interests of organisations practicing animal testing ahead of animal’s rights.
By ascertaining information on animal testing in public institutions, such as universities, Animal Concern will publish statistics and facts about the practice, to expose the way in which animal testing currently operates and to engage people in the fight against it.
Additionally, by publicising alternatives and dispelling rumours surrounding the need to continue animal testing, Animal Concern will attempt to shift public opinion on the issue.