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.

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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.

Thanks for listening! Make sure you leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date on all things animal free research!

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?

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

Thanks for listening! Make sure you leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date on all things animal free research!