The Animal Free Labcast

What if breast cancer research could better reflect the women it’s designed to help, without relying on animals?

In this episode of the Animal Free Labcast, the team at Loughborough University reveal how they’re building a fully human 3D model to explore the complex links between breast cancer, menopause, obesity and exercise. 

From challenging the limitations of mouse models to finding animal-free alternatives that could actually work better and cost less, discover how putting human biology at the heart of research could lead to more relevant science and, ultimately, better treatments for patients.

Plus, the answer to last episode’s Myth Buster: Most MPs can publicly support campaigns that matter to them and their constituents. However, MPs in certain government or parliamentary roles may be restricted from publicly backing individual campaigns like Herbie's Law.

Myth Buster 

There is a legal requirement to use equal numbers of men and women in clinical trials before new drugs are approved for patients. Myth or fact?

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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!

More than 200 MPs and peers now back Herbie’s Law. Public affairs manager Aaron Davidson joins Carla and Gemma with the news that the campaign has reached 217 supporters in just two years, including almost half of the MPs who are free to publicly back it. He explains why some MPs, such as ministers and whips, can’t publicly support campaigns, and why a clear target date of 2035 matters for real change.

The team also looks back at a whirlwind three weeks at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party conferences. They met dozens of MPs and peers, including Sir Ed Davey and the government’s science minister, and the Conservative reception was so busy it ran one in, one out. Many politicians said they had come over because constituents had emailed them about Herbie’s Law, proof that taking a couple of minutes to contact your MP really does make a difference.

Plus, the answer to last episode’s Myth Buster. Dogs, cats, monkeys and horses are not protected from use in experiments. Their use rose by 7% last year, and just 100 horses were used in more than 12,000 procedures.

Myth Buster 

All MPs are free to publicly support whatever causes they want – like Herbie’s Law - myth or fact?

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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!

More than 2.54 million animal experiments were carried out in Great Britain in 2025, down just 3.8% on the previous year. Use of "specially protected" species, dogs, cats, horses and monkeys, rose by 7%. The figures haven't gone unnoticed in Westminster. MP Lee Pitcher raised the figures in the Commons, referencing Herbie's Law directly, while minister Sarah Jones pointed to the government's £75 million strategy to accelerate change.

Dr Fiona Saunders from the University of Aberdeen's Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence joins to talk about her work replacing foetal bovine serum (FBS) in breast cancer research. FBS has been a laboratory staple for decades, but it comes with ethical costs and scientific ones too, its batch-to-batch variability makes experiments harder to reproduce. Fiona explains why swapping it out is trickier than it sounds, and how her team's work could help labs worldwide make the switch.

Myth Buster 

Dogs, cats, monkeys and horses are protected from use in experiments in Britain.

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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

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!

Carla and Dr Gemma Davies dig into the growing political and scientific momentum behind ending animal testing, both in the UK and around the world.

At the heart of this episode is Herbie's Law, Animal Free Research UK's proposed legislation to create a clear roadmap for phasing out animal experiments. Director of Public Affairs Isabel Martin shares how support continues to build in Parliament, with backing from MPs across multiple parties and the campaign regularly raised in debates across both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The team also pauses to mark one year since the loss of Herbie, the dog whose story started it all.

The episode takes a global view too, with the UK, United States and European Union all having published major strategies over the past year to reduce and replace animal testing. While each takes a different approach, all point in the same direction. The team welcomes the progress but is clear: none go far enough, and a firm legal commitment is still needed.

World Animal Free Research Day also gets a mention, with a brilliant wave of support from campaigners, parliamentarians and public figures including Pete Wicks, Will Young, Kirsty Gallagher and Rankin.

Myth Buster 

A change in prime minister could mean a change to the Government’s strategy to phase out animal testing.

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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!

Hosts Carla and Dr Gemma Davis are joined by TV broadcaster and animal welfare advocate Kirsty Gallacher to mark World Animal Free Research Day 2026.

The team digs into Kirsty's passion for animal welfare, the growing public awareness around the use of animals in lab testing, and why sustained campaigning and the power of a platform matter more than ever. Gemma adds a scientific reality check, highlighting that despite decades of animal research, many diseases still have no cure and the case for human-relevant research methods has never been stronger.

There is also some exciting news: Animal Free Research UK has launched its third Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence at the University of Aberdeen, focusing on breast cancer research. Plus, a brand new t-shirt has landed in the shop, modelled by Kirsty and fellow celebrity supporters to celebrate the day.

Myth Buster
Alternatives to animal testing are new technologies that have only emerged in the last couple of decades.

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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!

Hosts Carla and Dr Gemma Davis are joined by two special guests: Dr Jonathan Sheard, Animal Free Research UK's new Science Community Manager, and Dr Chloe Rodgers from the University of Glasgow.

The team discusses an exciting new initiative to build regional scientific communities across the UK, designed to connect researchers, encourage collaboration and support the transition to animal-free methods. We hear highlights from the first Scottish community event in Glasgow, where nearly 60 scientists came together, including a Dragon's Den-style funding competition won unanimously by Dr Chloe Rodgers.

Chloe shares her groundbreaking MEDUSA project, which aims to build a more accurate human model for studying endometriosis and other reproductive health conditions, replacing the mice models that are still widely used despite the fact that mice do not menstruate like humans.

Myth Buster
Scotland carries out fewer animal experiments than any other country in Great Britain.

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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!

In this episode, the team explores the growing momentum behind animal-free research, from increasing political support for Herbie’s Law to innovative breakthroughs in the lab.

The discussion highlights a major parliamentary event hosted by Animal Free Research UK and a recent debate driven by a petition with over 121,000 signatures, showing strong public demand to reduce animal testing. 

We revisit a common myth that some scientific questions require animal research. The team explains how new technologies are enabling scientists to study disease using human biology instead.

At the heart of the episode is new research from Professor Delibegovic and Dr Kamli-Salino from the University of Aberdeen, where they are developing a human kidney slice platform to study diabetic kidney disease. By using donated human tissue, this approach offers a more accurate way to understand disease and test treatments. 

Looking ahead, the team explores how animal-free methods could support more effective, personalised medicine, while emphasising the importance of continued public and political engagement to drive change.

Myth Buster
Regulations require animals to be used in every area of research?

Vote now:  Labcast Poll

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

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

Thanks for listening!

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, the team tackles some of the most common and challenging questions about animal testing, from legal myths to the future of AI in science.

A key focus is the misconception that animal testing is legally required in the UK. In reality, it is only permitted when no suitable alternative exists, but unclear definitions mean it is still widely used.

The discussion highlights the growing shift towards human-based research methods, which are increasingly more relevant and effective than animal models. The team also address the reality that most medicines today have involved animal testing, leaving limited alternatives for patients.

Looking ahead, the episode explores the complexity of phasing out animal testing, the role of new legislation, and the potential of artificial intelligence to transform research and reduce reliance on animals.

Finally, the importance of public engagement is emphasised, with a reminder that contacting MPs and raising awareness can help drive change.

Myth Buster
There are important scientific questions that can only be answered through animal research: Myth or fact?

Vote now: Labcast Poll

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!

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?
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!

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?

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!