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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEnvironmentStarted 7yrs agoActive 2yrs ago

Should researchers be allowed to use animals in testing the safety of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics?

Animal testing is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables that affect the behavior or biological system under study. The United Kingdom was the first country in the world to implement laws protecting animals. In 1822 an Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle was passed by Parliament. The UK government has publicly stated that animals are sentient beings, not merely commodities, and has confirmed its commitment to the highest possible standards of animal welfare. Animal Welfare Act, an overhaul of pet abuse laws replacing the Protection of Animals Act, came into force in England and Wales in 2007.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 734k UK voters.

51%
Yes
49%
No
28%
Yes
48%
No
22%
Yes, but not for cosmetics
0%
No, offer incentives to inmates serving life or death sentences instead
1%
Yes, as long as the animals suffer zero pain or distress
0%
No, it is cruel and ineffective

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 734k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 734k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @97ZBNHManswered…4yrs4Y

Not cosmetics and under very strict and humane conditions for medical testing if no other way exists

 @983NFLHanswered…4yrs4Y

They should be tested on criminals who were going to be sentenced to death

 @8KQWZ9Janswered…6yrs6Y

No, test on criminals instead

 @989K7FQanswered…4yrs4Y

No, only humans that have consented to being tested on and who are rewarded.

 @Aln-H-29198273849218727272227272…answered…3yrs3Y

No, use lab grown cells instead

 @8WSDLNXanswered…5yrs5Y

only when necessary

 @98NJNZCanswered…3yrs3Y

no its wrong

 @97ZZPRCanswered…4yrs4Y

It should be avoided at all possible intervals and care should be taken to ensure the animals are not in pain (pain killers etc). Never for cosmetics.

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 734k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should researchers be allowed to use animals in testing the safety of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/3719987016

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