In this episode, Carla and Dr Gemma discuss a series of exciting milestones for Animal Free Research UK.

Animal testing was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions by Irene Campbell MP, bringing the issue to one of the UK’s most high-profile political stages and calling for stronger action to phase out animal experiments in medical research.

The team also reflect on their appearance on BBC’s The One Show, which highlighted pioneering animal-free research funded by the charity, including lab-grown “mini hearts”, human-cell breast cancer research, and plant-based antibodies for medicine production.

A major focus of the episode is the launch of the Centre for Human Specific Research, a new initiative designed to support scientists transitioning from animal experiments to human-relevant methods through funding, training, and collaboration.

Myth Buster
Is animal testing for medical research required by law in the UK? Myth or fact?
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In this episode, Carla and Dr Gemma reflect on a significant few weeks for Animal Free Research UK, with major developments in Parliament and across the scientific community.

Two debates in the House of Commons placed animal experimentation firmly on the parliamentary record! With growing cross-party support for Herbie’s Law, a practical roadmap to phase out animal testing over the next decade. The issue has now also been raised in the House of Lords, signalling increasing political momentum.

The team also discuss newly released figures showing over 6.5 million animals were approved for use in UK laboratories in 2025, underscoring the urgency for reform. At the same time, advances in organoid and organ-on-chip technologies highlight the accelerating shift towards human-relevant science.

Momentum is building but continued public pressure remains vital!

Poll of the Week:

Would you like to see more Animal Replacement Centres or ARCs around the UK?

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In this first episode of the new year, Carla and Dr Gemma explore encouraging progress towards animal-free research, alongside the challenges that still demand urgent action. They share exciting news about Animal Free Research UK being shortlisted for two prestigious Lush Prizes, recognising both scientific innovation and political advocacy

The conversation then turns to Westminster, where a parliamentary debate exposed serious regulatory failures in animal research laboratories, while also renewing calls for Herbie’s Law and a clear pathway towards replacing animal testing by 2035. The episode closes on a hopeful note with guest Josh Abram, a young researcher working with cutting-edge, animal-free cancer models, whose passion reflects the future of ethical, human-relevant science.

Poll of the Week:
Would you like to see more Animal Replacement Centres or ARCs around the UK?

Vote now on X, Facebook or Instagram!

Have your say: Call 0208 054 9695 to share your thoughts.

Support the cause: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

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In this year-end episode, Carla and Dr Gemma reflect on a year of real progress towards replacing animal testing with human-focused medical research. We bring together highlights from across the series, featuring scientists, campaigners, politicians and well-known supporters who are helping to drive change.

You can hear about strong public backing for the charity’s campaign asks, major milestones for Herbie’s Law, and exciting advances in animal-free research. We also celebrate the vital role of supporters in funding innovation, influencing policy and helping to move the UK closer to ethical, human-relevant science.

Our Labcasts will be back in 2026 with more insightful, inspiring and occasionally funny episodes.

Thanks for listening!

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In episode 49 of the Animal Free Labcast, hosts Carla and Dr. Gemma Davis welcome two key guests from Animal Free Research UK — Head of Science, Dr. Ross Dobie and Director of Public Affairs, Isobel Martin — for a deep dive into the UK government’s new strategy on phasing out animal testing.

Main highlights

• 96% of listeners believe cancer research should prioritise replacing animal experiments.
• Ross and Isobel agree the new government strategy is a step forward, but not ambitious enough.
• The plan focuses more on phasing in alternatives than phasing out animal testing — a concern for campaigners.
• The team outlines four priorities to push progress further:

1. Put the strategy into law — so promises can’t quietly disappear with political change.
2. Replace animal-derived antibodies — switching to more reliable & ethical recombinant alternatives.
3. Give parliament a seat at the table — ensuring MPs can hold government to account.
4. Demand transparency — clearer timelines, budgets, and implementation details.

Big supporter milestone

Thanks to public action, all 650 UK MPs have now been contacted about the need for animal-free science — a major breakthrough driven entirely by supporters.

Poll of the week: Do you support our four campaign asks?
Vote on Instagram, X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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In this episode of the Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davis discuss the UK Government’s new strategy to phase out animal testing and what it means for animals and science. Early feedback from supporters shows strong concern, with 99% of poll respondents saying the strategy is too slow.

They highlight AFR UK’s recent work with MPs, including six parliamentary questions calling for stronger legal commitments, and the 586 supporters who contacted their MPs to push for urgent action. New Home Office summaries also show that more than five million animals have been approved for experiments over the next five years.

Carla and Gemma speak with Dr Ethan Perkins from the University of Bradford, whose funded research grant is developing a human-cell prostate cancer model. His organ-on-a-chip approach aims to predict drug responses more accurately, reduce the use of animals in cancer studies, and support more personalised treatments. His team has already created promising tumour structures and is preparing to test cancer drugs on these fully animal-free models.

Poll of the Week:
Should the Government’s strategy prioritise replacing animal experiments in cancer research?

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In this special episode, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davis speak with Public Affairs Manager Aaron Davidson about the UK Government’s new strategy to accelerate the phase-out of animal testing. They outline key positives, including a clearer commitment to full replacement, investment in human-specific research hubs, better training for early-career scientists and steps to reduce publication bias.

They also discuss how sustained advocacy helped shape the strategy, alongside the gaps that remain, such as the lack of legal deadlines, limited funding, and vague commitments. The team emphasise that while this is an important milestone, further action is needed to deliver a truly animal-free research system.

Poll of the Week:
Do you think the Government’s strategy on phasing out animal testing faster goes far and fast enough?

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In this inspiring episode, Carla and Gemma spotlight two pioneering PhD researchers from the University of Glasgow’s Lifetime CDT programme – Celia Ribes Balanza and Athena Mattheou – who are redefining what the future of science looks like.

Fresh from presenting their research at the UK Parliament, Celia and Athena share how they’re helping to phase out animal testing and drive forward human-relevant innovation. Supported by Animal Free Research UK, the Lifetime CDT is training the next generation of scientists to create smarter, kinder research methods that truly deliver for patients.

Celia discusses her cutting-edge “organ-on-a-chip” model and Athena introduces her work developing next-generation synthetic hydrogels for wound healing. Together, they reveal how animal-free research is gaining real momentum in universities, Parliament and beyond – proving that ethical science is also the most effective science.

Poll of the Week:
Will animal testing end sooner if MPs act, rather than waiting for animal researchers to retire?

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Support the cause: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

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