Science alliance defends animal testing

German institutes call for “balanced discussion” of existing constraints and safeguarding measures on animal experiments

The Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany has opposed a blanket phase-out of animal research, after a European Citizens’ Initiative called for such a move.

The initiative, which garnered enough signatures to be formally discussed, calls for a complete ban on using animals in research undertaken in the EU. The alliance joined other science organisations across Europe, as well as the European Commission, in clarifying that such a goal was not feasible.