Animal Free Research UK (AFRUK), formerly the Dr Hadwen Trust, is a UK medical research charity that funds and promotes non-animal techniques to replace animal experiments.[1][2] Established in 1970, the work undertaken by Animal Free Research UK develops reliable science whilst avoiding animal testing.
History
Animal Free Research UK was established as the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research in 1970 (registered charity number 261096).[3][4] It was formed by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) in honour of its former president, Walter Hadwen. In 1980, Dr Hadwen Trust split from BUAV and became an independent charity.[3]
The charity became incorporated as a charitable company (registered charity number 1146896) in 2013. In 2015, the Dr Hadwen Trust became registered as a charity in Scotland (SC045327). In April 2017, the charity changed its working name from Dr Hadwen Trust to become Animal Free Research UK.[3]
Animal Free Research UK promotes the practice of non-animal research through its funding, publications, science community outreach, and the media. Its purpose is to "support scientists to transition from using animals to using new approach methodologies in medical research".[5]