Biological connections between humans and animals
These remarkable threads of biology remind us that, at heart, we are all part of the same living fabric. When we witness animals in need or discomfort, we are bearing witness to the story of ourselves and those we love.
These similarities serve as a stark reminder: illness is not the preserve of humanity. We inhabit a complex, interwoven biological world, where the fortunes of humans and animals combine. Within this tapestry lies a remarkable opportunity, still largely untapped, for collaborative progress.
What is One Medicine? A new approach to healthcare
The concept of One Medicine is as elegant as it is revolutionary. When living beings, be they human or animal, face similar health challenges, the solutions they require may, too, be shared. Far from abstract, this notion offers concrete and immediate advantages, reshaping how we care for all members of our global family.
Across the United Kingdom, in homes large and small, families are facing a growing challenge. The cost of caring for their beloved animals rises sharply, while the NHS, too, is stretched to its limits. In living rooms and kitchens from Cornwall to the Highlands, the worry is the same, a dog limping gently across the floor, a cat no longer leaping to its favourite windowsill. Osteoarthritis, chronic pain, allergies, and metabolic disorders do not recognise the boundaries between species; they touch us all, human and animal alike. And yet, despite these shared struggles, our systems still insist that cures and treatments be sought along separate, parallel tracks: one for people, another for their animal companions.
The inefficiency of separate human and veterinary medicine
This well-meant separation, born perhaps of tradition, now squanders precious time and resources, and delays the comfort and relief that so many, whether two-legged or four, so dearly need. (Veterinary Services for Household Pets in the UK – Consultation on Proposed Market Investigation Reference, n.d.; Szponder et al., 2022; The One Medicine concept: its emergence from history as a systematic approach to re-integrate human and veterinary medicine, 2020).
Enter the concept of dual licensing, championed by Humanimal Trust and central to the One Medicine vision. Here, a single medicine, proven safe and effective for both humans and animals, can be developed, tested, and approved through a unified process. Instead of travelling parallel, duplicative roads, the evidence and expertise may be shared, provided that the highest standards are met for all. This is not merely a matter of efficiency; it is a testament to fairness, to collaboration, and to the reduction of unnecessary animal testing. (Hopkins et al., n.d.) By advancing dual licensing, One Medicine offers a future where people and animals alike benefit from the very best our science can achieve, together.
One Medicine across diseases: From cancer to chronic pain
What makes Humanimal Trust’s work so urgent is that it is not confined to one condition, one discipline or one moment in time. The principles of One Medicine apply wherever disease exists, from cancer and heart disease to infection, inflammation and chronic pain. Every day that human and veterinary medicine continue to operate in isolation, opportunities to share insight, reduce duplication and improve outcomes are missed. This is not a future concern or a theoretical ambition. It is a present‑day reality affecting patients, clinicians and families right now, across every disease area where humans and animals share biology, burden and benefit.
Reducing animal testing through dual licensing
Crucially, the benefits of dual licensing extend beyond speed and cost. By reducing duplication in development pathways, it offers a clear opportunity to reduce repeated pre‑clinical studies, including animal testing, where appropriate. Fewer duplicated studies mean fewer animals are used, without compromising safety or scientific integrity. This is a practical and proportionate step towards a future in which collaboration progressively reduces reliance on laboratory animal testing altogether. This is not merely a matter of efficiency; it is a testament to fairness, collaboration and responsible stewardship of both ethical and financial resources.
The advantages, when viewed through the lens of nature and science, are striking. A shared pathway shortens the time and reduces the cost of discovery, allowing researchers to devote their talents more effectively. (The One Medicine concept: its emergence from history as a systematic approach to re-integrate human and veterinary medicine, 2020) This, in turn, hastens the arrival of innovative treatments for all. And for families facing mounting costs, such an approach brings relief where it is needed most. (Borriello et al., n.d.)
Improving treatment for osteoarthritis, diabetes and more
Already, this approach is transforming lives, both human and animal. (King, 2021, pp. 643-650) Consider osteoarthritis: the pain, the loss of movement, the slow, patient management required over the years. By uniting our research efforts, we accelerate the journey to comfort and restored quality of life. The same promise extends to diabetes, skin disorders, and a host of other chronic conditions. (Currier & Steele, 2011, pp. 4-11) These are not the rare afflictions of the few; they are the daily realities for countless families and clinicians across our land. (O’Neill et al., 2021)
Why One Medicine is a cost-effective healthcare solution
One Medicine, put simply, represents a wise and compassionate investment. One carefully crafted study may guide the care of two species at once. Each new insight has the power to ripple outward, reducing suffering in ever-increasing circles. In this way, every contribution is magnified, touching lives far beyond its point of origin.
In May we will observe One Medicine Month, a dedicated time in the year to shine a light on the value of closer collaboration between human and veterinary medicine. At this time, it is worth reflecting on a simple truth: progress does not always require reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, it is a matter of recognising the connections that have long bound us to the natural world and acting upon them. By embracing these links, we can make wiser choices, steward our resources with care, and help all species flourish together.
The future of healthcare: Integrating human and animal medicine
At a time when pressures on health systems and households continue to mount, One Medicine offers a vital pathway forward. It provides a smarter, more compassionate, and more efficient solution, one that begins the moment we commit to working together across species boundaries.
Dual licensing: One approval, double the patients helped at half the cost.