Frequently Asked Questions - Beyond Animal Research (BAR)

1. What does BAR mean by "revolutionise science"?

BAR will support the transformation of methods and approaches to science that eliminate the harmful use of animals.

This paradigm shift will protect animals whilst also improving the translatability of science for human and animal health.

2. Why does science need to be revolutionised for animals?

Using non-harmful scientific methods that focus on humans should be how we find effective solutions for humans, just as the non-harmful study of animals should be how we find effective solutions for animals. But the current science system does not support this.

Right now, most new drugs fail in human trials – and not because of one issue, but many. Common reasons include lack of effectiveness, unexpected side effects, poor study design, and strategic or commercial setbacks. A major contributing factor is the continued reliance on animal-based research, which often fails to predict how drugs will behave in humans due to crucial biological differences.

This high failure rate reveals deeper, systemic problems – outdated research methods, a lack of transparency, and pressures that reward publishing over progress.
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To truly serve people and protect animals, science needs a revolution: one that replaces what doesn’t work with ethical, effective, human-relevant research that delivers real-world results.

Read more about the systemic flaws in status quo science here.

3. What does BAR mean by "the ethical use of animals for science"?

Animals are used in many ways for science, and in certain cases, valid scientific conclusions can be drawn without causing them any harm. In these instances, we consider the use of animals to be ethical.

For example, the ethical use of animals might include observation only for conservation purposes or using companion animals in veterinary training, where animals aren’t harmed.

Because animals are involved in a wide variety of scientific practices, it’s important to evaluate each case individually rather than label entire fields of research, testing or teaching as ethical or unethical.

4. What does BAR mean by the "harmful use of animals for science"?

Any use of an animal that causes physical or psychological harm, pain, suffering, distress, or lasting negative impact, including death.

It’s important to recognise that even if the research itself is considered non-harmful, the laboratory environment can still cause distress. This setting often restricts natural behaviours, potentially leading to suffering and other negative impacts on the animals’ well-being as well as confounding scientific findings.

Note: There could be some cases where animals experience stress/harm that could be deemed acceptable, i.e., a timid companion animal being transported to the vet to have their ‘bloods taken’ for vet diagnostic research.

5. What "animal use" does BAR want to eliminate?

BAR wants to eliminate scientific practices that harm animals. This includes methods that cause physical or psychological harm, pain, suffering, distress, or lasting negative impact, including death.

6. How is BAR the Science Alliance for Animals?

We work with progressive scientists, institutes and organisations from the animal science and research community in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond to align groups with traditionally opposing perspectives. Together, we tackle constructive tensions to achieve common goals for animals, people and the environment.

7. Why does BAR work with the Animal Science and Research Community?

Many individuals and institutes using animals for science do not want to use them in harmful ways. However, various barriers such as institutional, financial, political and regulatory are preventing them from being able to use, develop and fully embrace animal-free or non-harmful methods. BAR actively works with the scientific community and regulators to remove these barriers.

8. What makes BAR so unique as a charity?

We are - The Science Alliance for Animals. This means we actively work with scientists to drive the uptake of valid animal-free practices. Together, we are aligned in our love and respect for animals and the critical need for reliable scientific progress without the harmful use of animals. Together we are shaping the future of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and beyond, with scientific excellence alongside our compassion for animals, humans and our environment.

BAR is the first of its kind, created to unite animals and scientific progress from day one.

Frequently-Asked Questions