Foetal Bovine Serum has long been used in Australian universities, research institutes and biotech companies, but comes with major scientific, ethical, and practical problems. Cell culture expert, Dr Katie Bashant Day, answers some key questions about the use and limitations of FBS, existing alternatives, and introduces a new animal-free alternative
New national poll reinforces rising support for humane research alternatives A national poll commissioned by Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) reveals that the majority of Australians want to see an end to animal experiments and greater investment in ethical, scientifically advanced alternatives. The survey of 1,011 adults aged 16 and over
By Rachel Smith, CEO, Animal-Free Science Advocacy Presented at ANZCCART Conference 2025 In an age of increasing public scrutiny and ethical accountability, how institutions respond to concerns about animal research matters more than ever. Yet, too often, those responses come in the form of “stock replies”—standardised, predictable, and often superficial
IPV Animal Research Is Ethically Indefensible Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a form of sustained, coercive abuse involving power and control, often with devastating impacts on survivors’ autonomy and psychological wellbeing. It is paradoxical — even grotesque — to investigate such a subject by replicating coercion and harm on vulnerable
AFSA has just released a landmark report examining the ethical review and regulation of animal use in scientific research and teaching across Australia. The findings raise urgent questions about whether Animal Ethics Committees (AECs)—tasked with safeguarding animal welfare in science—are still fit for purpose. AECs were introduced in Australia in
Key Points: FDA aims to make animal studies the exception rather than the norm within 3–5 years by embracing new approach methodologies (NAMs) based on human biology. Roadmap leverages AI-based computational modelling, human organ-model lab testing and real-world human data. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) identified as first priority; animal immunogenicity not
April 2025 — Monkeys subjected to brain lesions, prolonged captivity, and distressing testing—using taxpayer dollars Many Australians are shocked to learn that primate experimentation is still taking place in their own backyard. A recently published study (Feizpour et al., 2024) has revealed deeply concerning details about invasive brain research carried
Australia’s outdated animal research practices under scrutiny as calls grow for investment in cruelty-free science. This World Week for Animals in Laboratories (April 21 to April 27), Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) is calling out cruel and outdated animal experiments and calling for investment in animal-free research methods. The week is
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