Animal Free Labcast #58 – Herbie's Law and the Global Shift Away from Animal Testing Artwork

The Animal Free Labcast

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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The Animal Free Labcast

Animal Free Labcast #58 – Herbie's Law and the Global Shift Away from Animal Testing

June 25, 2026 • Carla Owen • Season 5 • Episode 58

0:00 | 28:56

Carla and Dr Gemma Davies dig into the growing political and scientific momentum behind ending animal testing, both in the UK and around the world.

At the heart of this episode is Herbie's Law, Animal Free Research UK's proposed legislation to create a clear roadmap for phasing out animal experiments. Director of Public Affairs Isabel Martin shares how support continues to build in Parliament, with backing from MPs across multiple parties and the campaign regularly raised in debates across both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The team also pauses to mark one year since the loss of Herbie, the dog whose story started it all.

The episode takes a global view too, with the UK, United States and European Union all having published major strategies over the past year to reduce and replace animal testing. While each takes a different approach, all point in the same direction. The team welcomes the progress but is clear: none go far enough, and a firm legal commitment is still needed.

World Animal Free Research Day also gets a mention, with a brilliant wave of support from campaigners, parliamentarians and public figures including Pete Wicks, Will Young, Kirsty Gallagher and Rankin.

Myth Buster

A change in prime minister could mean a change to the Government’s strategy to phase out animal testing.

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