“China should share the evidence behind animal-testing alternatives openly”

Key points

• The PIONEER pilot began in September, promoting human tissue models and computer simulations.
• It aims to publish lists of validated methods, case studies and key technical points.
• The article argues the next step is to open evidence behind regulatory decisions to scrutiny.
• The piece is published in Nature, 2026, by Wang, Li, Zhao from major Chinese medical institutions.
• No competing interests are declared by the authors.