(MENAFN) The UK government announced on Tuesday a £75 million ($98 million) plan aimed at phasing out animal testing in scientific research and safety assessments, replacing it with cutting-edge alternative technologies.

The strategy, unveiled by Science Minister Patrick Vallance, outlines a roadmap to reduce and ultimately eliminate animal use while maintaining strict standards for human health and environmental safety.

According to the government, the plan will “support work to end animal testing wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.”

Key milestones include ending regulatory animal tests for skin and eye irritation and skin sensitization by the end of 2026. By 2027, traditional mouse-based Botox potency tests will be replaced with DNA-based methods, and by 2030, research involving dogs and non-human primates to study drug movement in the body will be substantially reduced.

Officials said new technologies such as organ-on-a-chip systems, AI-based safety modeling, and 3D bioprinted tissues will create “lifelike environments for studying human biology” and provide more accurate data for drug and chemical development.

“By harnessing our scientific excellence, we can deliver real benefits for animal welfare while advancing innovative research that improves lives,” said Animal Welfare Minister Sue Hayman.

The strategy will be supervised by a new oversight committee chaired by Vallance, with measurable targets to be published next year.

It also includes training programs for early-career scientists, priority research lists, and steps to strengthen the UK’s leadership in regulating non-animal testing methods.

“This is a roadmap which will ensure government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively,” said Vallance.

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