Source: FSB Marketing/Adobe/Adobe Firefly 2024

By Savita Nutan MSc DipRCPath PGCert (HE),  

Trainee BSU Programme Leader and Founder of Medicine Without Cruelty. 

The practice of animal testing in education, research and testing is outdated, cruel and completely ineffective. In fact, studies reveal an astonishingly high 90-95% of experimental drugs fail in human clinical trials, despite achieving deceptively promising results in early-stage animal testing (Kretzer, 2018). Considering that pharmaceutical drug development is an unbearably slow and expensive process – costing an average of $2.6 billion per drug and taking 12-15 years to bring to market (Bentwich, 2022) – relying on an animal testing system that fails around 90% of the time is nothing short of a scandal of epic proportions, affecting both humans and animals alike.   

High drug failure rates are not only attributed to unexpected side effects but also the fundamental differences in biology between humans and animals, making animals poor predictors of human responses (Akhtar, 2015 and Marshall et al., 2023). Complex human diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular conditions are incredibly problematic to model in animals. For example, rodents may develop diseases akin to humans, but their immune systems and metabolic processes differ so significantly that data from animal testing leads to misleading or inaccurate results (Loewa, Feng and Hedtrich, 2023). This fact has costed the pharmaceutical industry billions in failed drugs, not to mention the countless animals subjected to unnecessary suffering.  

More importantly, animal testing fails to capture the diversity within the human population. Humans are remarkably unique, with differences spanning age, gender, ethnicity, geography, allergies, and intolerances. These very differences significantly impact our responses to medications. Animals, who lack this human diversity, will never be able to account for these variations. 

Cutting-Edge Alternatives: Human-Relevant (Non-Animal) Methods 

The good news is that science has advanced, and effective non-animal methods are readily available. These technologies offer relevant and precise data for humans. One such technology is Organ-on-a-Chip, which uses human cells to simulate the environment of human organs (Stinson, 2015). This allows researchers to observe how drugs or diseases affect human cells in real time. In fact, a recent study highlighted how a liver-on-a-chip model accurately predicted drug-induced liver toxicity outperforming current animal studies and showcasing how these non-animal methods can (and should) supersede outdated and ineffective animal testing (Sullivan & Hessel, 2022). 

Similarly, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering are consistently transforming the field of biomedical research. Scientists can now grow three-dimensional human tissues, known as organoids, which mimic the structure and function of real organs (Kilian, 2023). These organoids offer a reliable platform for studying diseases, testing drugs, and developing personalised treatments, completely bypassing the need for animal testing. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the pharmaceutical industry. With several AI-driven pharma companies now boasting multibillion-dollar valuations, they are emerging as powerful disruptors, poised to transform drug discovery and development (Atradius Collections, 2023). AI-powered simulations can analyse vast datasets to accurately predict how drugs will interact with the human body, significantly reducing both the time and cost of drug development (Xeven Solutions, 2024). These models are faster, cheaper, and highly reliable, providing further compelling evidence to abandon animal testing. 

Changing the Landscape of Science Education 

With advanced technologies at our fingertips, educational institutions must adapt their curricula to reflect these transformative changes. In a groundbreaking move, the FDA recently legalized alternatives to animal testing for drug development and introduced new legislation this year to implement and provide clear guidelines for non-animal testing methods. This shift acknowledges that modern techniques like organ-on-a-chip and computational models can successfully and reliably predict human responses (U.S. Congress, 2021). Schools, colleges, and universities must follow suit, equipping the next generation of scientists to excel with these innovative, human-relevant methods. 

The latest Science Teaching Survey, conducted by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), highlights the urgent need for curriculum reform, with 29% of science teachers agreeing that it is outdated and irrelevant (Gould, 2024). Furthermore, previous RSC research revealed that over 81% of young people believe it is important to learn about sustainability, and 66% express interest in pursuing careers in this critical field. 

Students today are more ethically conscious than ever, and they deserve an education that reflects their interests and aligns with modern scientific advancements. By integrating innovative non-animal methods into science education, we can align academic institutions with current scientific progress while cultivating a new generation of researchers committed to ethical, humane, and effective practices. 

Paving the Way for Humane and Effective Research 

Animal testing is an outdated, ineffective, and ethically indefensible practice that has no place in modern science. With alternatives such as Organ-on-a-Chip, AI, and 3D bioprinting, we have the tools to conduct research that is accurate, reliable and effective. Educational institutions hold the key to driving this change. By incorporating non-animal methods into science curricula, we can equip future researchers with the skills and knowledge needed to advance humane, cutting-edge research. 

The time for change is now – for both animals and the future of science. By embracing these modern technologies, we can create a future where animals are no longer tortured and exploited, and scientific progress is made with the accuracy and precision necessary for the betterment of human health. 

Visit my website at www.medicinewithoutcruelty.com and get in touch if you’re interested in developing an educational programme that teaches the scientists of tomorrow about non-animal solutions in modern science! 

Please follow this link to explore the accompanying YouTube series on Non-Animal Solutions in Science: www.youtube.com/@MedicineWithoutCruelty  

Reference list 

Akhtar, A. (2015). The flaws and human harms of animal experimentation. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, [online] 24(04), pp.407–419. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180115000079. 

Atradius Collections (2023). Can AI Make Opportunities for Pharma? | Atradius. [online] Atradiuscollections.com. Available at: https://atradiuscollections.com/global/reports/industry-trends-ai-injects-a-growth-opportunity-for-pharma-industry.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024]. 

Bentwich, I. (2022). Tackling Life’s Toughest AI Challenge. [online] GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. Available at: https://www.genengnews.com/insights/tackling-lifes-toughest-ai-challenge/ [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024]. 

Ewart, L., Apostolou, A., Briggs, S.A., Carman, C.V., Chaff, J.T., Heng, A.R., Jadalannagari, S., Janardhanan, J., Jang, K.-J., Joshipura, S.R., Kadam, M.M., Kanellias, M., Kujala, V.J., Kulkarni, G., Le, C.Y., Lucchesi, C., Manatakis, D.V., Maniar, K.K., Quinn, M.E. and Ravan, J.S. (2022). Performance assessment and economic analysis of a human Liver-Chip for predictive toxicology. Communications Medicine, [online] 2(1), pp.1–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00209-1. 

Gould, M. (2024). Science teachers call for reform of ‘overloaded’ curriculum. [online] Tes Magazine. Available at: https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/science-teachers-call-reform-overloaded-curriculum [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024]. 

Kilian, N. (2023). Using organoids to advance equity and inclusion in drug discovery. [online] Advanced Science News. Available at: https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/using-organoids-to-advanced-equity-and-inclusion-in-drug-discovery/. 

Kretzer, M. (2018). Experiments on Animals Fail 90% of the Time. Why Are They Still Done? [online] PETA. Available at: https://www.peta.org/blog/experiments-on-animals-fail-90-of-the-time-why-are-they-still-done/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2024]. 

Loewa, A., Feng, J.J. and Hedtrich, S. (2023). Human disease models in drug development. Nature Reviews Bioengineering, [online] 1(8), pp.545–559. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-023-00063-3. 

Marshall, L.J., Bailey, J., Cassotta, M., Herrmann, K. and Pistollato, F. (2023). Poor translatability of biomedical research using animals — A narrative review. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 51(2), p.026119292311577. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/02611929231157756. 

Stinson, L. (2015). A Chip That Mimics Human Organs Is the Design of the Year. [online] Wired. Available at: https://www.wired.com/2015/06/chip-mimics-human-organs-design-year/. 

Xeven Solutions (2024). How is generative AI used in drug discovery? [online] Xeven Solutions. Available at: https://www.xevensolutions.com/blog/role-of-generative-ai-in-drug-discovery/ [Accessed 14 Oct. 2024].