The Guardian view on animal testing: we can stop sacrificing millions of lives for our own health | Editorial

A Slaughterhouse Called Science: The UK's Struggle to Phase Out Animal Testing

The UK government has unveiled a strategy to phase out animal testing, marking a significant shift towards alternative methods in scientific research. With over 2.6 million live animals used in sanctioned procedures last year, the practice is undoubtedly one of the most painful and distressing areas of scientific endeavour.

Despite previous efforts to regulate and reduce the use of animals in cosmetics and research, cruel experiments like the forced swim test continue to take place. The government's decision to ban new licenses for this particularly heinous test is a welcome step towards reducing animal suffering. However, many other practices remain, such as using mice to model cancer, which are widely regarded as barbaric.

The question remains whether these alternatives can replace animal testing with equivalent efficacy. Emerging technologies like organ-on-a-chip systems and machine learning algorithms offer promising solutions, already in use and showing promise in simulating complex bodily systems. While they may not provide perfect insight into human response, they undoubtedly offer a more humane approach.

What sets this government's strategy apart is its focus on concrete action. A £60m funding commitment has been made to develop and validate alternative methods, with a clear roadmap for implementation over the next decade. This level of investment and planning is a departure from previous governments' rhetoric, which often failed to translate into meaningful change.

The potential rewards are significant, both scientifically and economically. The EU and US have already taken steps to reduce animal experimentation, and the UK's commitment is likely to yield substantial benefits for research and development worldwide.

At its core, this initiative represents a moral imperative: to free animals from suffering at the hands of scientific inquiry. It is time for us to re-examine our priorities and acknowledge that these creatures, often relegated to the margins as "charismatic" species, deserve our compassion and consideration.

I've seen so many videos of those tiny mice being used for cancer research ...can't even watch them without getting grossed out . The tech they're investing in now is like whoa - these organ-on-a-chip systems are pretty cool . Not perfect, but at least it's a start . Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pushing the boundaries of science and innovation, but can we PLEASE just not be so... animal-y?

I'm not totally convinced about this whole 'science' thing ... I mean, I get what they're trying to do - reduce animal suffering and all that jazz. But let's be real, we're still relying on mice to model cancer? That's just weird . And what's with the £60m funding commitment? Is this really going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things?

I'm not saying it's not a step in the right direction or anything... but have we learned nothing from previous attempts at phasing out animal testing? It feels like just another Band-Aid solution . I'd love to see more concrete evidence that these new techs are actually working before we get our hopes up.

That being said, I do think it's awesome that the government is finally taking action and acknowledging the moral implications of animal experimentation. Maybe this is the push we need to get some real progress . Time will tell if it all works out in the end...

I was saying this a while back about the UK's animal testing plans... like, remember when they said they'd be phasing out animal testing in 2020? Yeah, that didn't happen. And now it seems like they're serious about it this time around. The £60m funding is a good start, but we need to see more concrete progress. I mean, what's the point of having a plan if you don't actually follow through?

And have you noticed how some scientists are still using outdated methods that are basically just cruel? Like, come on guys, get with the times! We've got technology like organ-on-a-chip systems now... it's not perfect, but it's a start. And let's be real, who gets to decide what's "barbaric" and what's not? It's all subjective.

But seriously, this is progress. We need more countries like the UK that are willing to take risks and make changes for the better.

I'm low-key impressed by this move The fact that they're putting a solid £60m into developing alternatives is huge I've been saying for ages that it's time to ditch animal testing, and now the UK's finally getting on board It's not just about animal welfare, though that's a big part of it – it's also about doing science more efficiently and effectively. These organ-on-a-chip systems are like, super promising I mean, we're already seeing them in use and they're showing some serious promise in simulating complex bodily systems. It's all about finding those gray areas where animal testing isn't needed anymore

I think this is a huge step forward for the UK! The fact that they're committing £60m to develop new alternatives is amazing news . It's about time we moved away from using animals in tests, considering all the advancements in technology like organ-on-a-chip systems and machine learning algorithms . I'm excited to see where this takes us, both scientifically and economically . The idea that it's a moral imperative to end animal suffering is something I think more people should be talking about . We can't just leave animals in the shadows anymore .

I think it's fab that the UK government is taking a stand on phasing out animal testing! It's about time we moved away from those super distressing tests like the forced swim test . The fact that they're investing £60m in alternative methods like organ-on-a-chip systems and machine learning algorithms is amazing . We need more of this kind of concrete action, not just talk about reducing animal suffering . It's all about compassion and treating animals with respect . Can't wait to see the impact this will have on research and development worldwide . Let's make a change for the better !

I think its super cool that the UK gov is makin a big move to ditch animal testing! They're investin £60m in new tech like organ-on-a-chip systems, which sounds like magic . We gotta give 'em credit for finally takin concrete action instead of just talkin about it .

It's also awesome that they're acknowledgin the EU and US have done this before , so we can learn from them and get ahead of the game . I'm hyped to see what kind of progress we'll make in the next decade .

The thing is, animal testing has been a total drag for years , so its awesome that we're shifting towards more humane methods . We should be proud of ourselves for makin this change . Let's keep pushin for more compassion and kindness !

I'm really impressed by the UK's new strategy to phase out animal testing . The £60m funding commitment is a huge step in the right direction . It's about time we shifted our focus from these cruel experiments to more humane alternatives . Organ-on-a-chip systems and machine learning algorithms are game-changers here . I'd love to see them roll out across all industries, not just research . The potential benefits for science, economy, and animal welfare are huge . Let's hope other countries take note and follow suit . It's a moral obligation to treat animals with respect and compassion .

I think its about time we got rid of animal testing in the UK The £60m funding commitment is a huge step forward And it's not just about the animals, but also about advancing science and technology with more humane methods The government's strategy sets an example for other countries to follow We gotta keep pushing for change until we see a world where animals aren't used for testing

it's about time! animal testing has been a huge problem in science research for far too long phasing out animal testing is not only morally right but also makes sense from an economic standpoint those £60m funding commitments are gonna be super useful and let's be real, who needs mouse models of cancer anyway? the tech is here to save us (and our furry friends)

I'm not sure I fully get what's going on with animal testing in the UK . Like, isn't there already stuff out there that helps scientists do experiments without hurting animals? I mean, I've heard of those organ-on-a-chip things... how do they actually work? And what about all these new machine learning algorithms? Are they like super computers or something? It's hard to understand how they can replace animal testing completely. Also, £60m is a lot of money! Is that going to make a big difference in the end?

Ugh, i'm so glad they're finally making a change ... think about all those poor animals who have to go through such pain & distress because of us . It's crazy how much research is being done on mice & stuff instead of actual humans... like, isn't that just kinda weird? Anyway, i'm all for this £60m funding commitment - it's about time we started putting our money where our hearts are . And yeah, the EU & US have been doing similar things for ages, so i'm curious to see how this plays out . Can't wait to see some real progress on this!

the UK's plan to phase out animal testing is a step in the right direction but it still feels like they're just scratching the surface there are so many other areas where animals are being used without any real alternatives, like pharmaceutical testing for example and what really gets me is that this whole thing feels like it's been happening for years and years without anyone making a big deal about it at least now they're committing £60m to make it happen, which is awesome but we need more concrete actions from other countries too

omg just read about the UK's plan to phase out animal testing... it's about bloody time! 2.6 million animals used in tests last year is way too much at least they're banning new licenses for that awful forced swim test tho but mice still get used to model cancer? what's wrong with these scientists?! we need more funding like £60m already and a clear plan to make it happen... 10 yrs is too slow lets hope this initiative actually makes a difference and not just another empty promise

I gotta say, it's about time the UK government took this step towards phasing out animal testing! I mean, we're talking millions of live animals being used in scientific research every year... it's just not right. Those mouse experiments for cancer? totally barbaric, if you ask me. But hey, at least they're trying to make alternative methods more accessible with that £60m funding .

I'm loving the focus on concrete action here - it's not just talk, but actual plans and resources being thrown behind this initiative. And I agree, the potential rewards are huge... both scientifically and economically. Who knows, maybe one day we'll have a world where animals aren't subjected to these cruel experiments anymore .

It's funny, people always say "science is just science" but I think it's time we started re-examining what that means . I mean, can we really justify using animal subjects just because it's the way things have been done forever? Not to me, anyway.

I think it's about time we take animal testing more seriously in the UK . The fact that they're investing £60m into developing alternative methods is a huge step forward. I'm curious to see how these new technologies will improve on traditional methods, especially when it comes to modeling cancer .

I'd love to know more about what kinds of alternatives are being developed and tested right now. Are we talking about 3D printed organs or something even more futuristic? The fact that the EU and US have already made progress in this area is reassuring, but I'm hoping the UK's commitment will lead to some real breakthroughs soon.

I also think it's worth noting that this initiative isn't just about science – it's also about our values as a society. Do we really want to be seen as a nation that prioritizes progress over animal welfare? The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that phasing out animal testing is a no-brainer.

One thing that might be worth exploring further is how this shift will impact certain industries, like cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. Will these changes disrupt supply chains or create new challenges for researchers?

Ugh, I'm so skeptical about this whole thing... They're just trying to get a good PR spin out of it, you know? A £60m funding commitment sounds nice on paper, but what's the actual plan to make sure it gets implemented and doesn't just fizzle out like all the other promises they've made in the past? I mean, have we seen any real progress on this stuff before? And what about the mice being used for cancer research? That's still super messed up. Can't they find a better way to model human responses without causing so much suffering?

Honestly, i think its a good step but they should also look into the bigger picture. What about all the animal testing thats happening in other industries like pharma? I mean we're talking billions of animals used for research every year. Its not just the cosmetics industry that needs to change. And whats with all these alternative methods? Like, i get it technology is cool and all but its also super expensive. How are they gonna make those organs on a chip affordable for everyone?

Scientists are still trying to figure out how to make a mouse smile . Meanwhile, in the real world, animals are still getting tested on . But hey, at least they're not getting tested on Tuesdays . Who needs animal testing when you have tiny robots and AI?