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The Animal Free Labcast is hosted by the CEO of Animal Free Research UK, Carla Owen, and is a frank, lively exchange and sharing of ideas and experiences by leading scientists, policy makers and animal protection ambassadors - all of whom seek a kinder science.Carla and her guests cut through the noise to break down why we need to accelerate human relevant science if we are to end the medical emergency - that which is in large part caused by the continued reliance on animals as models for human disease research.Listen in to new episodes every two weeks, starting on June 29, 2022!
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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...
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...
In this special episode, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davis speak with Public Affairs Manager Aaron Davidson about the UK Government’s new strategy to accelerate the phase-out of animal testing. They outline key positives, including a clearer commitment to full replacement, investment in human-specific research hubs, better training for early-career scientists and steps to reduce publication bias. They also discuss how sustained advocacy helped shape the strategy, alongside the gaps that remain, s...
In this inspiring episode, Carla and Gemma spotlight two pioneering PhD researchers from the University of Glasgow’s Lifetime CDT programme – Celia Ribes Balanza and Athena Mattheou – who are redefining what the future of science looks like. Fresh from presenting their research at the UK Parliament, Celia and Athena share how they’re helping to phase out animal testing and drive forward human-relevant innovation. Supported by Animal Free Research UK, the Lifetime CDT is training the next gene...
In this powerful episode, Carla and Dr. Gemma unpack the newly released 2024 Home Office statistics on animal experiments — revealing that 2.64 million procedures were carried out in British labs last year, with only a 1.2% decrease from 2023. They discuss the shocking figures behind genetically altered animals, the continued use of dogs, cats, horses, and monkeys, and why the so-called “progress” remains far too slow. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they’re joined by Dr. Jenny Ashworth fr...
In this episode of the Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies answer your top questions about animal-free research — and record on video for the first time (tech hiccups included!). Carla shares how Animal Free Research UK is driving Herbie’s Law and working across parties to make animal-free science a political priority. Gemma explains how breakthroughs like organ-on-chip, AI models, and 3D cell cultures are replacing animal tests and why cultural change in research is key. They...
This week Carla and Dr Gemma Davies speak with Dr Adjanie Patabendige from the University of Derby, who is pioneering animal-free research into how irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) may increase the risk of dementia. Using human cells and lab-grown models of the blood-brain barrier, her work replaces animal-derived materials with human equivalents, offering more relevant results and greater compassion. We also discuss Herbie’s Law – the proposed plan to phase out animal testing by 203...
In this episode of the Animal Free Labcast, Carla and Dr Gemma Davies are joined by Dr Sam Aspinall from the University of Hertfordshire, who is developing a synthetic, animal-free alternative to gelatine – a material found everywhere from labs to healthcare to cosmetics. We unpack why gelatine, though cheap and effective, is problematic both ethically and scientifically, and explore how polymer-based substitutes could offer the same benefits without animal suffering or experimental variabili...
“It’s awful for the animals - and it’s not even useful for the humans.” In this episode, award-winning illustrator Emily Sutton joins Carla and Dr Gemma Davies to reflect on the current state of animal use in science, as well as share the inspiration behind her stunning artwork for our Brighter Future campaign. Emily discusses the power of illustration to drive change, her lifelong love of animals, and why she was moved to support Animal Free Research UK. Plus, Carla and Gemma share the...
We’re back with another great episode! Join Carla Owen and co-host Dr Gemma Davies as they sit down with Dr Stephanie Modi, Science Manager at Animal Free Research UK, to unpack a topic that affects us all – antibodies. Stephanie explains what antibodies are, how they’re used in medicine, and why most people don’t realise animals are still used to make them – over a million each year in Europe alone. Discover why animal-derived antibodies can actually slow down medical progress, and how new a...
Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies are joined by special guest Dr Dania Movia, recipient of the Animal Free Research UK Outstanding Scientist Award. The hosts share updates from Parliament, where MP visits to Animal Free Research UK-funded labs are driving support for Herbie’s Law. Steve Race MP has written an article in The House Magazine, and there has been a parliamentary debate on phasing out animal experiments, with amazing support for Herbie’s Law! Concerning news from the Home Office...
This week on the Animal Free Labcast, hosts Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davis are joined by three comedy favourites – Jake Lambert, Russell Kane and Diane Morgan – who share why they’re lending their voices to the Herbie’s Heroes campaign. Jake Lambert talks about his deep love for animals, Russell Kane highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership, and Diane Morgan speaks passionately about ending animal cruelty and the need to move beyond outdated testing methods. She says: "We can do ...
This week on the Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davis spotlight the launch of the Herbie’s Heroes campaign – joined by celebrity supporters Deborah Meaden, Pandora Christie, Kirsty Gallacher, and Pete Wicks. Hear why they’re backing Herbie’s Law – from the failures of outdated animal testing to their deep personal commitment to animal welfare. Deborah Meaden says: "I'm supporting Herbie's Law because there are alternatives to animal testing. Let's choose compassion and bui...
This week on The Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen is joined by Isobel Martin to discuss the recent parliamentary debate on ending dog experiments, sparked by a petition with over 238,000 signatures. Despite strong public and cross-party support, the government has refused to act — but momentum for Herbie’s Law is growing. They also explore bold progress in the US, where the NIH is closing its last beagle lab and investing in human-specific science. Is the UK being left behind? Plus, details on...
This week on The Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories by exposing the lack of progress in replacing animals in research, despite legal commitments. They’re joined by Isabel Martin, Director of Public Affairs, who reveals how “replacement” is being overlooked in ethical reviews and shares bold proposals for reform. Plus, in breaking news, the FDA plans to phase out animal testing for drug development – a major step forward. But is the U...
This week, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies speak with Professor Jens Schwamborn about using midbrain organoids, 3D human brain models, to study Parkinson’s without animal testing. With Parkinson’s cases rising and current treatments limited, Jens explains how these models offer a more accurate and ethical alternative to animal research, paving the way for personalised, human-specific medicine. Poll of the Week: Do you think companies like Neuralink should stop testing brain devices on monkeys ...
Carla Owen and Dr. Gemma Davies return with another exciting episode of the Animal Free Labcast, diving into the latest developments in the movement to end animal testing. They discuss breakthroughs in organ-on-a-chip technology and how it’s paving the way for more ethical and effective medical research. The hosts speak with Aaron Davidsion from Animal Free Research UK and explore the growing momentum behind Herbie’s Law and the steps being taken in Parliament to accelerate the transiti...
This week, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies explore British Science Week and the push for animal-free research. They discuss last week's poll, where 96% of listeners rejected animal organ transplants, and highlight concerns over foetal calf serum (FCS) in labs. Special guest Dr Nick Peake, from Sheffield Hallam University, shares his pioneering work on replacing animal-derived materials with fully humanised models. These innovations, using human tissue from surgical waste, could revolutionise r...
This week on the Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies chat about the recent wins for Herbie’s Law in Parliament, celebrate women who are paving the way for International Day for Women and Girls in Science and dive into questions around animal-free heart research. Plus, they tackle the tricky issue of pig-to-human heart transplants and whether it’s time to focus on human-specific, animal-free solutions. Don’t miss out on the exciting progress being made to change science for the...
Join us for a World Cancer Day special as Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies explore the urgent need for human-specific cancer research. Special guest, Dr Cinzia Allegrucci, shares her groundbreaking triple-negative breast cancer research, developed entirely without animals. 🎙Poll of the Week: Should cancer researchers embrace non-animal methods in their work? Vote now on X, Facebook or Instagram! 📞 Have your say: Call 0208 054 9695 to share your thoughts. ⭐ Support the cause: ...
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