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She can't refuse what's happening to her. We can.
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Help end toxicity testing on animals
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I know this image is hard to process, Birgitt. It presents a scene so unfathomable that you immediately want to think, "this can’t be real". But sadly, I need to tell you that it is.
After decades documenting animal cruelty, I don’t say this lightly: what’s happening to animals inside toxicity testing labs is among the most heart-breaking evidence of animal suffering I’ve ever witnessed.
Primates, dogs, mini-pigs, rabbits and rats are used to ‘safety test’ new medicines before they can move to human trials. In procedures that can last months or even years, animals have test substances forced into their bodies to determine at what level they cause harm.
I didn’t know this was happening Birgitt, and I suspect you didn’t either. That’s why I am writing to you, to seek your help to ensure that the secrecy that has sustained this regulatory ‘safety testing’ system, is shattered forever.
Concerned lab workers have entrusted Animals International — our global arm — with footage from UK laboratories exposing the enormity of the suffering inherent to this system. It is the most extensive evidence ever documented of animal toxicity testing and has just been made public through a major story in the Daily Mail.
Birgitt, the suffering of these animals — primarily for EU regulatory approval — is impossible to justify, ethically or scientifically. And today we are launching a global campaign to bring it to an end. See the evidence for yourself and take action at TOXICITY.inc.
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Restraint devices have been specifically manufactured to control and immobilise monkeys to enable toxicity testing procedures to be conducted. For primates, captivity alone is terrifying — and this kind of restraint adds to their distress.
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Birgitt, the lack of public transparency in animal-based toxicity testing is not by chance. It’s because public awareness would end it.
Inside these laboratories, animals are restrained and forced to inhale chemicals through gas masks; force-fed chemicals through tubes pushed down their throats into their stomachs; and even have pieces cut out of their bodies so test substances can be applied into the open wounds.
Some animals will receive up to one hundred times the projected human ‘dose’ to determine at what level of exposure harm is caused.
And Birgitt, the sad reality is that these practices continue to be inflicted on animals despite growing scientific recognition that animals frequently fail to predict human outcomes. In fact, over 90% of drugs that pass animal tests fail in human trials.
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ABOVE: Rabbits are completely immobilised in plastic containers during infusion tests. The test substance is injected into their ear vein. BELOW: The unimaginable suffering caused to the animals subjected to these tests is ignored. When the toxicity test is complete the animals are killed.
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Birgitt, you may be surprised to learn that most of what's happening to animals inside UK laboratories is being driven by EU requirements.
In fact, the most recent government data shows that in 2024, 87% of safety testing using animals in the UK was for EU regulatory approvals.
This puts Europe in a unique position to drive global change — and gives European citizens a direct role in making it happen.
Public pressure in Europe has already fuelled progress. In response to the European Citizens’ Initiative supported by more than one million people, the Commission committed to developing a Roadmap to phase out animal testing in chemical safety assessments.
It's time to turn that commitment into action.
Through TOXICITY.inc, we are working alongside partner organisations in eight countries — including Deutscher Tierschutzbund in Germany — to apply strategic pressure to accelerate the transition to animal-free testing methods.
Please add your voice, Birgitt, by calling on EU Commissioners to deliver on their promise to replace animals in toxicity tests.
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Knowing what these animals are enduring on a daily basis carries a deep sense of responsibility — to them, and to the brave individuals who have risked so much to bring this evidence to light.
Bringing about global change is no small challenge, but if ever there was an industry that cannot withstand the light of public awareness and compassion — it is this one.
Toxicity testing using animals is being done in the name of public safety, yet we were never consulted, we were never given the opportunity to say, "no, not in my name."
Now we have that chance. To speak on the animals’ behalf — to speak on behalf of our humanity.
They may not be able to refuse what's happening to them, Birgitt. But together, we can.
For the animals,
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Lyn White AM
Director of Strategy
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P.S. Birgitt, until now, the reality of animal-based toxicity testing has been well hidden in highly secure laboratories, denying the public the opportunity to demand that it ends. And better methods already exist — human-relevant technologies that are often faster, cheaper and more accurate. What’s needed now is pressure. Your action today can help drive desperately needed change for these animals.
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