I Am Not A Lab Tool

As the validity of animal testing is increasingly questioned, Australian research, which relies on animal models, risks failure to translate to human health outcomes. There is a compelling argument for allocating a significant proportion of funding to provide financial incentives for researchers to develop human-relevant animal-free methods – as is already happening in other nations.

As the validity of animal testing is increasingly questioned, Australian research, which relies on animal models, risks failure to translate to human health outcomes. There is a compelling argument for allocating a significant proportion of funding to provide financial incentives for researchers to develop human-relevant animal-free methods – as is already happening in other nations.

Ask the Australian Government to fund animal-free research

Help us to call on the Australian Government to dedicate funding towards animal-free research.

Millions of tax dollars are distributed for medical research every year, however there is no specific funding allocation for contemporary animal-free methods of research. To develop and validate animal-free research methods, a dedicated government funding stream is urgently required to encourage and incentivise change.

(If you receive a reply from the Minister, please forward these to [email protected] so we can compile the responses.)

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Subject:

Australia is missing an opportunity to replace animal use in medical research and there is “overwhelming” (ANZCCART, 2022 [1]) support from a majority of Australians for the Australian Government to fund contemporary health research methods.

The 2023 CSIRO report on Non-Animal Models of medical research made it clear that, “Due to their enhanced biological relevance, non-animal models can increase productivity and reduce costs by identifying unsuitable medical products earlier in development and re-investing savings in more promising candidates.” (CSIRO, 2023 [2]) Investing in the development and application of contemporary health research methods may contribute an additional $1.28 billion from organoids and $310 million from organs-on-a-chip to the Australian sector. (CSIRO, 2023 [2])

Investments in these research methods fall under a number of political initiatives, including health, medical research, and science and technology. There is an opportunity for multiple branches of government to work with the CSIRO report and the NHMRC recommendations towards better health outcomes for all Australians. It has been clarified in a Parliamentary Question response shared to Animal-Free Science Advocacy that funding for research into the use of alternatives to animal experimentation does meet the purpose of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

As your constituent, I am asking that you and your party adopt a policy of support for funding allocation for human-relevant research support, and that you raise this issue with allied Ministers. This support may take the form of grants, scholarships, training, or mentoring specifically for the development and implementation of human-relevant research methods.

Thank you for your consideration of investment in Australia’s health future. I look forward to your reply.

[1] Australian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching: https://anzccart.adelaide.edu.au/ua/media/664/attitudes-animal-research-survey-report2.pdf

[2] Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation: www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/services/consultancy-strategic-advice-services/csiro-futures/health-and-biosecurity/non-animal-models

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