Written question asked by Charlotte Nichols (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 November 2023. It was answered by Andrew Griffith (Conservative) on Friday, 24 November 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Medicine: Research

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department provided funding for biomedical research using (a) live animals and (b) non-animal for (i) organ-on-a-chip, (ii) computer modelling and (iii) other technologies in the period between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022.

Answer: Government funds biomedical and biological research using animals and non-animal methodologies and technologies, recognising that the highly regulated and limited use of animals in scientific procedures remains necessary for understanding how biological systems work, in the development of new medicines, treatments and technologies, and for testing chemicals to protect human health and the environment. UKRI funds research and innovation aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of animals in research, providing approximately £10m per annum for the world-leading National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research to drive the development and uptake of 3Rs technologies – including organ-on-a chip and computer modelling.

Secondary information