Animal experiments on monkeys discussed in Bundestag hearing
- Press release
Animal experiments on monkeys discussed in Bundestag hearing
Yesterday, Doctors Against Animal Experiments (DAAE), together with PETA Germany, advocated for an end to monkey experiments at the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag. More than 40,000 citizens had supported the petition “Stop animal experiments on monkeys,” enabling the public hearing — a powerful sign of the political significance of the issue.
During the hearing, the organizations explained why experiments on non-human primates are scientifically unreliable, ethically unacceptable, and internationally outdated. The high level of public participation demonstrates that the population expects a clear shift in research policy. The petition calls, among other things, for national and European engagement to ban experiments on monkeys, alignment of the threat status with the IUCN Red List, a total ban on experiments on great apes, and an annual increase in funding for animal-free research.
“Animal testing, including on monkeys, does not provide reliable data for humans. Human-based methods such as organ-on-a-chip, 3D organoids, and AI models, on the other hand, deliver more precise results that can truly help patients — faster, more cost-effective, and ethically sound,” explains Dr. Melanie Seiler, primatologist and head of public relations at DAAE. “At the same time, the most commonly used monkey species, such as the long-tailed macaque, are now classified as endangered — an alarming signal that makes political action also essential for species conservation.”
DAAE also emphasizes that other countries are already moving ahead: the United States is establishing new structures for human-relevant research, the Netherlands will end government funding for monkey experiments by 2030, and the United Kingdom has presented a national roadmap for phasing out animal experiments.
“The international political direction is clear — only Germany still lacks a binding strategy,” says Seiler. “The hearing was an important step, prompted by the strong voice of tens of thousands of citizens.”
During the hearing, members of parliament had the opportunity to ask questions to the petitioners and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Research, which was used extensively.
The Petitions Committee will now review the submitted material; no outcome has been announced yet. DAAE thanks all signatories and announces that it will continue to advocate vigorously for a modern, scientifically robust, and ethically responsible research policy.
From left: Sabrina Engel (PETA) and Dr. Melanie Seiler (ÄgT) at the hearing of the Petitions Committee of the Bundestag.
Photo free to use: Screenshot of the livestream, Source: German Bundestag