Behind the official figures for animal experimentation, reality remains unchanged

In its 2023 statistical survey, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) congratulated itself for a slight drop in the number of living beings exploited for the first time in experiments during the year. However, the 2 million mark is still exceeded, whether we consider the total number of animals tested (2,030,513) or the number of first uses in 2023 (2,046,754). It is important to remember that the MESR only counts the first scalpel stroke given to an individual during the year: reuses during the same year are not taken into account.

What’s more, behind these overall figures, there are still major disparities between species: 20% of hamsters still undergo procedures classified as “severe”, and although dogs account for just 0.2% of uses, the figures for them are on the rise.

Thousands of lives overlooked by ministerial reports

Every year, official data on animal experimentation remains largely underestimated… It doesn’t take into account animals used outside regulated procedures. These animals are only declared to the European Commission every five years. This is the case, for example, of individuals bred solely to reproduce genetically modified lines, or of those killed to remove their organs or tissues for in vitro research. These practices are sometimes referred to as “New Methodological Approaches” (NMAs), a term that leads to confusion: we’re not talking here about “Non-Animal Methods”, but rather about the additional use of countless living beings! Rather than marking a break with in vivo experimentation, these practices add to it, as animals continue to be killed to satisfy the demands of a research system that is struggling to evolve.

Invisible in falsely transparent annual reports, all excluded from official data, they disappear in a persistent opacity.

When the category of “moderate” suffering is used to mask reality

The MESR points to a drop in the most unbearable experiments, described as “severe”, from 11.5% in 2022 to 9.3% in 2023. It also claims that 87% of cases would fall into the “mild” or “moderate” severity category. 

But these percentages mask an entirely different reality: of the 2,046,754 uses recorded in 2023, the moderate and severe categories alone account for almost half of all cases. 

What does MESR consider moderate pain? 

• “mutant mice” killed because they had become ‘too old’ following a delay in delivery, then replaced by others to undergo multiple injections before being placed on a hot plate; 
• another 2,500 were injected with cancer cells into their bladders, developing weight loss, prostration, urinary pain and anorexia before being killed; 
• or 1,136 of these small rodents implanted with a tumor and subjected to repeated oral force-feeding with fecal matter…

To what extent has this “moderate” level of severity become the norm for procedures that are nonetheless profoundly invasive? Practices remain violent, only the indicators are adapting.

90% of animal experiments are not required by law

Of these 2,046,754 uses of living beings, only a quarter (449,790) fall into the category of “regulatory studies and routine production”. Less than half (206,987) respond to legislative or regulatory requirements, generally European. Consequently, barely 10% of experiments in 2023 are required by law.

The remaining 1,839,767 could be replaced by alternative methods.

If, like three quarters of French people, you support the end of animal experimentation (One Voice/Ipsos April 2023), and believe in alternative methods, join us in calling for an end to these outdated practices!