Eight steps to transform medical research
How supporting human relevant techniques can tackle the medical research emergency
Medical progress is not moving fast enough. Alzheimer’s disease has seen failures in human trials of over 99% while failure rates for cancer are up to 97%. Behind these statistics are individual patients and their families, who are left waiting for the treatments they so urgently need. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), such as computer modelling and human organ-on-a-chip technology, can accelerate breakthroughs by providing results that are directly relevant to people. Unlike animal experiments, research using NAMs is not hampered by the diĦculties of translating results from one species to another. As a result, these cutting-edge techniques oģer the best possible chance of progress in tackling devastating diseases that also place signiĤcant pressure on the NHS. The NAMs industry has major potential to beneĤt the UK economy. A 2021 report predicted that it would contribute
£2.5 billion to UK GDP by 2026 - an increase of 700% since
2017. There is strong public support for helping scientists to embrace these innovative techniques. A 2021 YouGov poll found that 68% of respondents would support a policy ending animal experiments in medical research in the UK and replacing them with non-animal methods.
We are calling on the Government and opposition parties to support eight key measures that would help to revolutionise research:
1 Commissioning an inquiry into the human relevance of current medical research
2 Ensuring that UK law contains a clear commitment to the ultimate replacement of animal experiments with human relevant methods
3 Producing an action plan for encouraging the widespread adoption of human relevant research techniques
4 Launching a well-resourced programme of practical support and training to improve awareness and knowledge of human relevant techniques
5 Providing funding to improve the human relevance of research on a scale that reĥects the urgency and importance of this issue
6 Using the Research and Development tax reliefs system to incentivise human relevant research
7 Enabling experts in human relevant research to suggest approaches that would replace animal use
8 Appointing a Minister for Human Relevant Science to drive progress and ensure coordination across government.
Embracing these measures would signal a clear commitment to transforming patients’ lives and building economic growth, while honouring the British public’s concern for improving animal protection.