European researchers have confirmed the importance of using animals to the success of their studies, in a major EU survey.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the EU Commission's science and knowledge service, has published A survey on Monitoring Innovation and Societal Impact of EU-funded Research which asked EU-funded researchers on how their work has contributed to scientific innovation and benefited society.
Almost all participants (93%) stated that their research had an impact beyond their project, or that impact may be seen in the future, while more than 70% of those using animal models and/or animal-derived material considered them as essential to the success of their research.
A vast majority of respondents (110 out of 120) also believed that it would be preferable or indeed possible to shift from animal to a nonanimal models.