Replacing Animal Research is a UK-based charity dedicated to eliminating the use of animals in scientific research and testing. Established in 1969 by Dorothy Hegarty, the organisation was formerly known as the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME). Its mission is to create a world where no animal suffers for science by promoting and funding human-relevant, non-animal research methods.
The charity operates through three core areas: Funding research, education, and policy advocacy. It provides grants for innovative projects that develop non-animal methodologies, such as human tissue-based models and organ-on-chip technologies. These projects aim to advance scientific understanding in fields like oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and toxicology.
In collaboration with the University of Nottingham, Replacing Animal Research supports the FRAME Laboratory, which focuses on developing and validating non-animal research methods. The charity also publishes the peer-reviewed journal ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory Animals), disseminating research on alternative methodologies.
Educational initiatives include training programs and resources for researchers, students, and ethics committees to encourage the adoption of non-animal methods. The organisation engages with policymakers to advocate for legislative changes that prioritise the replacement of animal use in research.
Replacing Animal Research is funded entirely through donations, legacies, and corporate support, without direct government funding. Its work contributes to sustainable finance by promoting cost-effective and ethically responsible research practices, aligning with broader goals of reducing reliance on animal testing in scientific research.
