The survey was carried out from April 7 to 11, 2023, among 1,000 people from a nationally representative sample of the French population aged 18 to 75.
It shows that the French are overwhelmingly (74%) opposed to the principle of animal experimentation, with 43% saying they are completely opposed. Not only is this opposition in the majority, it is also on the rise. In twenty years, it has risen by 10 points.
In detail, support for a ban on animal experimentation to test different types of products was observed. This is the case for chemical products or ingredients (66%, +11 points vs. 2003), and medicines (65%).
The French are also overwhelmingly in favor of ending the capture and breeding of animals for experimentation. Most respondents support the closure of breeding facilities located in France and destined for laboratories, whether for dogs (85%) or primates (80%). The capture of wild animals is also strongly rejected: 81% of French people support a ban on the capture of primates in the wild in Asia, and their dispatch to France for experimentation.
The French support the idea that alternative methods to animal experimentation should be developed so that animals no longer have to undergo them (81% defend this position, against only 19% who consider such experiments to be a necessity for human health). The French also want animal experimentation to be banned where alternative methods exist. 87% are in favor of this measure. There is also widespread support (83%) for the creation of an independent authority to check that animal experiments are necessary and cannot be replaced by other methods.
In order to develop these alternative methods, they overwhelmingly support a gradual transfer of public funding for animal experimentation to fund scientific organizations that develop animal-free research methods (89% of French people are in favor of this, including 54% who are very much in favor).
In the same spirit, the French support the marketing authorization of drugs that have been tested using alternative methods to animal experimentation (84% in favor, including 46% very much in favor).
Finally, almost 9 out of 10 French people (87%) consider it important for consumers to be informed of the existence of animal testing, where this has taken place, on the products they buy. 56% even consider this information to be very important.
Full results: click here
