EBOLA TESTED ON MONKEYS
MoD conducts deadly experiments with animals
used to develop a drug to fight the effects of a nerve agent.
Eleven died during the study and 18 were later killed with anaesthetic.
Twenty-six pigs were exposed to a chemical that causes fatal lung injuries.
Blast wounds were inflicted on another 32 pigs to mimic battlefield injuries.
Surgeons then worked on the animals to assess the best way to treat soldiers suffering massive blood loss.
All 58 pigs were eventually put down with an overdose of anaesthetic.
The tests were at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which searches for ways to combat chemical and biological weapons.
The disclosures were made following a Freedom of Information request.
Defence bosses claim animal tests are critical to saving human lives – and say they stick to Home Office rules.
Mimi Bekhechi, from animal charity PETA, said: “The MoD has a responsibility to protect our soldiers, and that means directing resources towards cutting-edge, non-animal methodologies, not torturing animals.”
A spokesman for the MoD told us: “Research by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has saved the lives of British troops and also benefits civilians.”