"Animal testing in science would be phased out faster under a new plan to increase the use of artificial intelligence and 3D bioprinted human tissues, a UK minister has said. The roadmap unveiled by the science minister, Patrick Vallance, backs replacing certain animal tests that are still used where necessary to determine the safety of products such as life-saving vaccines and the impact pesticides have on living beings and the environment."
"The strategy says phasing out the use of animals in science can only happen when reliable and effective alternative methods with the same level of safety for human exposure can replace them. The government said new funding for researchers and streamlined regulation would help develop methods such as organ-on-a-chip systems tiny devices that mimic how human organs work using real human cells."
"Lord Vallance said: Nobody in our country of animal lovers wants to see suffering and our 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. 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."
A UK roadmap sets targets to accelerate replacement of animal testing with alternative methods including artificial intelligence, organ-on-a-chip systems, and 3D bioprinted human tissues. Alternatives must match the same level of safety for human exposure before animal tests are removed. New funding and streamlined regulation will support development and deployment of methods that mimic human organs using real human cells and use AI to analyse molecular data and predict safety and efficacy. Specific deadlines include ending regulatory skin and eye irritation tests by end-2026, stopping botox strength tests on mice by 2027, and reducing certain dog and primate pharmacokinetic studies by 2030.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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