Survey: Majority against animal testing!
Survey in the USA in 2024
In September 2024, Morning Consult surveyed 2,205 adults in the USA on behalf of the US non-profit organization Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
The poll shows overwhelming support for phasing out animal experiments in favour of animal-free research methods.
Results of the survey:
- 80% support a government plan to phase out animal experiments
- 85% believe government funding should prioritize non-animal research methods
- 85% agree that animal experimentation should be replaced with modern animal-free methods.
These results were consistent across demographics, including sex, location, age, and education.
This survey demonstrates a continued trend away from supporting animal research. In contrast, a 2018 Pew Research Center study found only 52% opposed animal testing. The shift may be attributed to increased ethical concerns.
Survey in 10 European countries 2023
From 27 October to 8 November 2023, Savanta ComRes surveyed 10,706 adults in 8 EU countries + Norway and Switzerland (1063 in Germany, 1092 in France, 1048 in Norway, 1044 in Spain, 1027 in Italy, 1084 in Belgium, 1078 in the Netherlands, 1097 in Denmark, 1068 in Sweden, 1105 in Switzerland) on behalf of the umbrella organisation Eurogroup for Animals. The results were weighted so that they are demographically representative at country level by age, gender and region in each country.
The results of the surveys confirm the public's strong desire to move away from animal experiments.
In particular, it emphasises the need for political action to accelerate the transition to animal-free science instead of animal experimentation.
Results of the survey
- 73% of respondents say they have major concerns about the use of animals in scientific research, regulatory testing and education.
- 76% believe that more needs to be done to accelerate the complete replacement of animal experiments in research and education.
- 77% believe that the European Commission and its Member States should develop a coordinated strategy for the transition to animal-free scientific research and education.
- 75% also believe that the European Union should be a global leader in the transition to animal-free science and innovation.
Savanta ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and adheres to its rules.
Survey in 12 EU countries in 2020
From 9th to 19th of June 2020, Savanta ComRes surveyed 5,653 adults online in 12 EU Member States (1,223 in Germany, 1,071 in France, 891 in Italy, 680 in Spain, 560 in Poland, 279 in Romania, 250 in the Netherlands, 174 in Belgium, 155 in the Czech Republic, 155 in Portugal, 108 in Denmark, and 107 in Croatia). At a country level, the data was weighted to be demographically representative by age, gender, and region. At a European level, the data was also weighted to be representative of the population size of the twelve countries. Savanta ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
Results of the survey
- 72 % of the respondents agreed that the EU should define binding targets and deadlines for the elimination of animal testing.
- 76 % want to ban animal testing for household cleaning products in Europe.
- 74 % agree that animal testing for cosmetic products and cosmetic ingredients is unacceptable.
- 66 % agree that the EU should end all animal testing immediately.
Survey on animal experiments in six EU countries in 2009
On the occasion of the amendment of the EU Animal Experiments Directive*, the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) commissioned a public survey in six EU member states.
The survey was conducted by the internationally renowned polling institute YouGov in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Sweden**.
The data shows clear results: the vast majority of the population is opposed to animal experiments. Most respondents do not want animals to be subjected to severe pain and suffering in experiments. In addition, the majority voted for greater transparency in animal experiments.
Results of the survey
Percentages for overall survey; German numbers in brackets.
- 84 (89) % of respondents are in favour or mostly in favour of the new Directive banning all animal experiments - regardless of the species concerned - that involve severe pain or suffering for the animals.
- 81 (85) % of respondents agree or mostly agree that the new Animal Experiments Directive should ban all animal experiments that cause pain or suffering to monkeys.
- 73 (75) % of respondents disagree or mostly disagree that the new Animal Experiments Directive should allow animal experiments that cause pain or suffering to cats.
- 77 (79) % of respondents are opposed or mostly opposed to the new Animal Experiments Directive allowing animal experiments that cause pain or suffering to dogs.
- 79 (82) % of respondents are in favour or mostly in favour of the new Directive banning all animal experiments that are not related to serious or life-threatening human diseases.
- 80 (84) % of respondents are in favour or mostly in favour of making all information on animal experiments publicly available, except for confidential data and information that allows conclusions to be drawn about the researchers and their jobs.
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*Council Directive 86/609/EEC of November 24th 1986 on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
** The survey with 7,139 adults was conducted by the market research institute YouGov from February 24th to March 4th 2009 in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. The number of respondents was calculated based on the population of the respective country and is representative for the respective country. The survey was conducted online, and only authorized persons could participate.
EU Commission survey on animal experiments 2006
In the context of the revision of the EU Animal Experiments Directive*, the European Commission conducted a survey among 42,655 people from about 30 mainly European countries in 2006. This survey achieved the 3rd largest participation compared to all previous online surveys of the EU Commission.
The respondents clearly express that they are not satisfied with the current situation regarding animal welfare and that they demand clear regulations from the policy-makers that will result in real protection for animals. Animal experiments, regardless of the species, are strictly rejected by the majority of citizens.
Results of the survey
The majority of respondents think that the current animal welfare provisions are not sufficient and that there is considerable need for action at a political level:
- Around 75 % consider the level of animal welfare in the EU and in their own country to be poor/very poor.
- Around 90 % think that the EU or the government in their country should improve animal welfare.
Respondents also think it is important to protect those animals, which are often given less empathy than, for example, cats, monkeys or dogs.
- Mice: around 90 %
- Fish: over 80 %
- Fruit flies: around 60 %
- The most important criteria for justifying an animal experiment are the degree and duration of suffering (approx. 75 %) and the availability of so-called alternative methods (approx. 70 %), as well as the purpose of the experiment, and the conditions under which the animals are kept and how well they are cared for (approx. 50 % each).
- Animal welfare organisations are the main source of information on animal experiments (approx. 85%), but animal experimenters/pharmaceutical industry also play a role (approx. 18 %/15 %). Around 90 % demand more transparency and a possibility to participate in the decision on when and how an animal experiment may be conducted.
- More than 70 % do not think that animal welfare regulations impair/hold back medical progress/innovation. Accordingly, about 70 % do not see the competitiveness of Europe endangered by animal welfare regulations
- About 50 % do not consider animal testing acceptable in any of the selected areas (basic research; disease/environmental research; drug development; chemical testing; education; information technology).
- About 75 % per country see insufficient support for the development and validation of so-called alternative methods in their own country and in the EU.
- Over 90 % believe that the EU should be the international leader in raising awareness on animal welfare/"experimental" animals.
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*Council Directive 86/609/EEC of November 24th 1986 on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
02.12.2023
Dr Dilyana Filipova