Caroline Dinenage, a prominent advocate for animal welfare, expressed her disappointment following the release of the Home Office“s annual statistics on scientific experiments involving animals. According to the report, 2.64 million procedures involving animals were conducted in 2024, marking only a slight decrease of 1.21% from the previous year. This figure raises concerns about the progress in the realm of animal welfare, despite advancements in scientific methods over the decades.
Dinenage highlighted Britain”s historical commitment to animal welfare, noting a shared understanding among parliamentarians that compassion and scientific advancement can coexist. However, the latest figures underscore the extensive work required to reduce and ultimately eliminate animal use in scientific research.
As an animal enthusiast, Dinenage pointed to encouraging developments in human-specific research methodologies. Innovations such as organ-on-chip technologies, 3D human tissue cultures, and AI-driven simulations are yielding results that are not only more ethical but also more pertinent to patient care. She asserted that the future of British life sciences hinges on these advancements, and it is the responsibility of parliament to expedite this transition.
This year, Dinenage joined over 60 cross-party parliamentarians and public figures in signing a letter advocating for a clear timeline to phase out animal testing, aligning with the principles outlined in Herbie”s Law. This initiative, proposed by the charity Animal Free Research UK, seeks to establish a structured transition plan that would support researchers while gradually discontinuing animal experiments over the next decade.
Dinenage stressed that such ambitious goals are necessary to ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect contemporary scientific practices. She criticized the current scrutiny of animal experiment licenses as being insufficient, with only one license application being denied between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2025. Since the beginning of 2025, over 3.8 million animals have been authorized for use in experiments.
If the aim is to end animal experiments, a comprehensive reform of the licensing approval process is essential. Moving away from animal testing is about enhancing scientific research for the benefit of all stakeholders, including scientists, animals, and the wider British public.
Dinenage pointed out that the United States has already begun updating its regulatory systems to embrace modern, non-animal technologies. She urged the UK to prioritize similar updates to avoid lagging behind while other nations advance towards more humane scientific practices.
She firmly believes that collaboration across political lines is crucial in this endeavor. The shared goal is to create a more humane, efficient, and globally recognized research framework. With a commitment to compassion, teamwork, and a definitive timeline, Dinenage is optimistic that Britain can once again lead the world in demonstrating that rigorous scientific inquiry and animal welfare can harmoniously coexist.
It is imperative for all political parties to unite in realizing this vision, which serves not only people but also the millions of animals that cannot advocate for themselves.
