In November, the UK House of Commons witnessed a strong call to phase out animal testing in favor of non-animal research methods. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) unveiled their “Roadmap to End Animal Testing,” pressuring the British government to honor its commitment to cease animal experimentation. The event drew attendance from over 30 MPs and featured the release of PETA’s report, “Research Modernization Deal,” which outlines specific strategies for ending animal testing and adopting alternative research methods.

The United Kingdom continues to be a significant user of animal testing, with more than 2.68 million animals subjected to experiments in 2023 alone. Animals are routinely used and euthanized for testing various pharmaceuticals and chemicals, often enduring severe physical and psychological trauma. PETA emphasizes that “these experiments have failed to deliver significant advances in human health, and viable alternatives already exist,” urging decisive government action.

MP Melanie Ward, who attended the event, stated that “animal testing contributes minimally to human health advancements, while scientifically and ethically sound alternatives continue to evolve,” calling for a complete cessation of animal experimentation. PETA argues that innovative research methods, such as computer models and organoids, can effectively replace animal testing while potentially improving scientific efficiency.

While the British government has officially announced plans to reduce animal testing, activists continue to press for concrete implementation. PETA has indicated its commitment to maintaining pressure for the transition to alternative testing methods, emphasizing both scientific and ethical advantages of this shift.