Animal Welfare
January 21, 2013
Advances in modern medicine have all to some extent relied on results obtained from animal testing, and will probably continue to do so. Although Sanofi carries out no research on animals in the UK, the group respects the highest international standards of animal welfare and supports the development of alternatives.
Ethically conducted tests on animals underpin virtually all medical progress. Every Nobel Prize discovery in medicine and physiology has been achieved with the help of research involving animals at some stage.
Animal testing protects people and the environment
To comply with international regulations, the non-toxicity of every new product for human consumption has to be demonstrated by means of specific animal tests. This is a requirement for many different products, from agricultural chemicals to hygiene and cosmetic products.
Alternatives are used where possible
New methods of biomedical experimentation such as cell cultures, molecular biology, imaging and computer modelling can sometimes reduce (but not always replace) this reliance on animal testing.
Strictly regulation
Every biomedical study involving animals must comply with relevant national and international legislation and the guidelines of the leading animal welfare organisations including the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and the Federation of Animal Science Associations.
