Views on Animal Experimentation/ Alternatives to Animal Experimentation

The majority of British citizens believe that the laws governing animal experimentation are tough (65%) and well enforced (56%), but 68% say they wouldn't be surprised if some animal experiments were conducted unofficially in secret; 61% think that some animal experiments are duplicated without need.

The majority (90%) accept animal experimentation to some extent, with the 60% noting unconditional acceptance of the practice; the number of people who unconditionally accept animal experimentation has grown from 32% in 1999. Further, half of all respondents are accepting of animal experimentation for the purpose of testing chemicals that could be harmful to people; 44% believe it is acceptable to use animal experimentation to test for chemical harm to wildlife or the environment.

Nearly one-third (30%) do not support the use of animals in any form of experimentation, and 17% believe that the government should ban all animal research. Respondents believe that support of opposing animal research should most likely come in the form of leaflets (81%), letters (76%), window stickers or posters (71%), or petitions (70%). Smaller numbers believe that protests outside of labs is acceptable (48%). And most feel that practices such as terrorist methods (85%), physical violence (82%), or property damage (82%) is unacceptable.

About a third (32%) of British adults say they are informed about scientific research, though despite this statistic, other evidence suggests that the majority of people acknowledge the importance of science overall; a 2008 survey found that 79% of British adults agreed that "science is a big part of our lives and we should take an interest."