GENEVA, Switzerland: According to early predictions by state broadcaster SRF, voters in Switzerland are set to reject a campaign aimed to making the country the first to ban scientific experiments on animals.
In a nationwide referendum held on February 13 under the Swiss tradition of direct democracy, just 21 percent of voters surveyed were in favor of the ban, while 79 percent were against it.
Those opposing animal testing stressed that the tests are unethical and unnecessary, while supporters of testing warned of the economic damage caused by such a ban.
Clement Rohner, from Carouge, a town close to Geneva, said, “I voted no, clearly, because I worked in a lab, and I know the reality on the ground,” as quoted by Reuters.
“We would all like to stop testing on animals, unfortunately, it is absolutely still not possible nowadays,” he added.
In another vote on February 13, voters are predicted to approve further restrictions on tobacco advertising, with 57 percent in favor, according to SRF.
The restrictions would see a ban on advertising in newspapers, cinemas, the internet, at events, and on billboards, with supporters saying such advertising encourages smoking among young people.
Angela Margeuron, also from Carouge, said, “I am in favor because it is a shame people are starting to smoke, it is a social phenomenon and it does not do good to anybody,” reports Reuters.
