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<p>As part of a modern research system, we believe that animals should only be used
where there is no practical alternative. The use of animals in research is carefully
regulated and remains important in ensuring new medicines and treatments are safe.</p><p>
</p><p>However, we are actively supporting and funding the development and dissemination
of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the
3Rs). This is achieved primarily through funding for the National Centre for the
3Rs which works nationally and internationally to drive the uptake of 3Rs technologies
and ensure that advances in the 3Rs are reflected in policy, practice and regulations
on animal research. Since the NC3Rs was launched it has committed £100 million through
its research, innovation, and early career awards to provide new 3Rs approaches for
scientists in academia and industry to use. This includes almost £27 million in contracts
through its CRACK IT Challenges innovation scheme to UK and EU-based institutions, mainly focusing
on new approaches for the safety assessment of pharmaceuticals and chemicals that
reduce the use of animals.</p><p> </p><p>UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funds a
portfolio of research projects involving humans, human materials, animal models, and
non-animal technologies. At this time, no artificial model or simulation can replicate
the complexity of disease processes in a living organism and as such, whole organism
approaches continue to be important; animal models are used when experimentation in
human volunteers is not possible for safety or ethical reasons. However, we do recognise
the increasing value of <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in silico</em> models, including
organs-on-chips and 3-dimensional mini-brains, which can greatly aid the development
of new healthcare innovations and also reduce, refine or replace the use of animals
in research.</p><p> </p>
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