Poll: Clear majority of Britons want end to animal testing in UK labs

Survey by YouGov also shows that a majority of Brits (60%) want the Government to better fund pioneering technologies to replace animals used in medical experiments.

London, UK – March 21, 2021 – Life Science Newswire – Over two-thirds of Britons – 68% – want an end to animal experiments in medical research in UK labs, a new poll reveals. The YouGov survey, carried out on behalf of charity Animal Free Research UK, showed strong public support for ending animal experiments and replacing them with non-animal alternatives, such as artificial intelligence and using human cells or tissues. 

The poll, which surveyed 1751 adults in Britain during 22-23 February 2021, also showed:

• 60% of respondents back extra Government spending on developing non-animal alternatives.  
• 70% of respondents support animal experiments in medical research being phased out by 2040.

Animal Free Research UK CEO, Carla Owen, said: “Our poll clearly shows that the British public want experiments on animals – some of whom we keep as pets – to end.  They want an end to outdated, unethical, costly and ineffective research that sees countless animals suffer. Instead, as the poll shows, the public wants the government to provide meaningful investment to make medical research humane and fit for the 21^st Century.”   

Last year, the Government granted 466 new licences to researchers, allowing them to carry out experiments on animals – including dogs, horses, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as millions of rats and mice.  But studying human diseases in animals is proven to be fraught with problems because they are not analogous to humans. 

Tellingly, over 90 percent of new drugs tested on animals go on to fail in human trials. Yet because of grey areas in guidance and regulations, all GP prescribed drugs are  tested on at least two species of animals before they are approved for use – even if they have been developed without using animals.  

Animal Free Research UK is – with the Great British public’s backing – now calling on the Government to take meaningful action to transition exclusively to human relevant research that can save human and animal lives, as well as being faster, cheaper and without cruelty.

Said Owen: “Government should take heed of the public’s desire to modernise archaic laws and practices that enshrine cruelty in medical research. The public also wants the Government to up its funding of cutting-edge, humane science that benefits humans without harming animals.” 

The poll findings coincide with a draft bill to launch a new “high risk, high reward” research agency, ARIA, as part of efforts to make the UK a science superpower.  

Added Owen: “Animal Free Research UK shares the Government’s ambition to make the UK a world leader in science research. The poll’s data sends a clear message to ministers that the nation’s new high risk research agency financed by UK taxpayers must be innovative and ethical – and above all, animal free.” 

Animal Free Research UK acknowledges providing the supportive infrastructure, funding, education and training, and regulations that enables animal free human-relevant research cannot be achieved overnight.  As our next step towards ending all animal testing, we are working for medicines to be developed without using any animals by 2040. 

Said Owen: “As much as we want animal experiments to end today, we’re realistic and understand change takes time.  But as the rush for a COVID-19 vaccine proved, more accurate, quicker and cheaper ways of compiling crucial medical research data exist. The government now has the backing of the British public to make the increased investment required to accelerate human relevant life sciences and cure diseases faster. This will save the lives of humans and animals as well as boosting the UK economy.” 

Notes to editors 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1,751 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22-23 February 2021.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Animal Free Research UK’s CEO, Carla Owen, is available for interview – please call Media and PR Manager, Peter Simpson, on 07803 051 848. 

Stats and facts  

• Each year in Britain, some three million animals(2019 HO stats) are used in research, including for human medicines and diseases.
• Yet 90 percentof new medicines that look promising in animal tests fail in human trials because they are unsafe or do not work in humans due to significant differences in our genetic makeup.  
• Every minute of every day, 6 animals are used in research in the UK.
• Animal Free Research UK has awarded grants to over 260 projects including on cancer, COVID-19 Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, since our foundation in 1970.
• We are creating a new generation of animal free researchers and funding Animal Replacement Centres of Excellence (ARCs).
• Over 17,000 new supporters have joined us on our mission since last November (2020).

About Animal Free Research UK: 

Animal Free Research UK is the UK’s leading medical research charity working to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering. Since 1970 the charity has awarded £10M in grants to over 260 projects, advancing the development of human relevant research for human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and COVID-19. It is a founder member of the Alliance for Human Relevant Science.

www.animalfreeresearchuk.org