From the great ape to the fruit fly…

There is a widespread feeling that most Europeans dislike the idea of defenceless animals suffering at the hands of anonymous scientists paid by profit-hungry cosmetics companies.

But getting more accurate and useful information on animal testing opinions is currently impossible as no official EU-wide statistics exist for opinions on animal testing.

With 20-year-old rules on the protection of laboratory animals up for review next year, the European Commission is seeking more information on public opinion. The Commission's environment department, responsible for revising the lab animals directive, launched last month an online opinion poll asking Europeans to explain where they stand on the matter.

Respondents have to say what, if any, proposed animal testing should be allowed. Suggested purposes include university study or developing treat-ments and medicines. They are also asked to decide whether animal testing to decide whether animal testing is acceptable for different types of animals, from the great ape to the fruit fly.

There is a widespread feeling that most Europeans dislike the idea of defenceless animals suffering at the hands of anonymous scientists paid by profit-hungry cosmetics companies.