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Ph: (03) 9832 0752 | Fax: (03) 9832 0753 | Email:info@aahr.org.au | Web: www.aahr.org.au
MEDIA RELEASE
3 February 2009
AUSTRALIANS SAY NO TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS!
A recent opinion poll has revealed that the majority of Australians are opposed to animal experiments
and call for more funding to be allocated to seeking scientific alternatives.
The survey, conducted by Nexus Research, was commissioned by AAHR Inc. with the assistance of a
grant from Voiceless and Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics.
Other key findings from the survey include:
Only 62% of the general public is even aware that animals are used in experimental research
in Australia these days.
58% of respondents do not believe that humans have the moral right to experiment on animals.
Only 18% of respondents indicated that they would donate to health or medical research
charity if they knew it were funding animal experiments.
More than half the population (53%) do not believe that it is always safe to transfer results from
animal research to apply to humans.
When reminded/informed about the drugs ‘successfully’ tested on animals that had caused
harm to humans (such as Thalidomide, Vioxx, DES), 78% indicated they were concerned.
87% consider that the number of animals used for research and teaching in Australia (approx 7
million p.a.) is unacceptable or is capable of reduction.
71% support the use of scientific alternatives to the killing of animals in research.
79% support allocating a proportion of medical research grants to funding scientific alternatives
to animal experiments.
Chief Executive Officer, Helen Marston, said today “Approximately 7 million animals are used in
research and teaching in Australia every year. It’s heartening to know that the majority of Australians
are opposed to such an archaic practice and recognize the need to seek more humane and
scientifically-valid options.”
For further information about the Australian Association for Humane Research Inc. contact:
Helen Marston, Chief Executive Officer
Ph. 03 9832 0752 or email helenmarston@aahr.org.au
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