The history of Replacing Animal Research and our journey championing non-animal research

We were founded in 1969 by animal lover Dorothy Hegarty to work with researchers and institutions to end animal testing and research. Dorothy believed the arguments of anti-vivisection societies were too simplistic and unlikely to achieve their purpose. Originally named F.R.A.M.E. or Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments, our name was updated in 2024 to Replacing Animal Research.

Dorothy was not a scientist herself, but she saw how the public could support the creation of non-animal research methods through donations and be a part of building a world where no animal suffers for science. She continues to be a great inspiration to our team as we work to make her vision a reality.

Since our launch a large focus has been on funding and validating alternatives to animal ‘methods’ in cosmetics and toxicology testing. At the FRAME Lab – the UK’s oldest biomedical lab fully dedicated to non-animal biomedical research, founded at the University of Nottingham – we developed one of the very first non-animal tests for use in cosmetics testing. We also advised the Government on the creation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

As a result of our contributions between 2000 and 2003 EU regulators accepted three replacement alternatives to animal-based toxicity testing produced, including the test developed at the FRAME Lab. This allowed for the widely celebrated move away from the use of animals in cosmetics testing in the UK and across the Europe.

We’re collaborative and respectful in our approach and believe that by working together we can create positive and lasting change. This is reflected in our values: we’re brave, science-led, supportive, collaborative, and optimistic. And above all, we love and respect animals.​