An animal-free alternative to Foetal Bovine Serum enters NZ labs

Foetal Bovine Serum, drawn from the blood of unborn calves, has been a standard ingredient in cell culture for decades. It carries real scientific, ethical, and practical problems.

A validated animal-free alternative is now within reach of New Zealand labs. Cell culture without FBS is more consistent, more reproducible, and free of the supply and welfare issues that come with an animal-derived product.

Replacing FBS is one of the clearest examples of BAR’s case: the animal-free option is not a compromise, it is the better science.