The European politics of transgenic animals Not many countries record the number of transgenic animals used in experiments separately, but the data that is available suggests that the use of transgenic animals in Europe is increasing rapidly.
Transgenic animals are one of the 'hot' issues in animal experimentation in Europe.
There are a number of factors which suggest that, over the next few years, this subject will become the focus of increasing public and political attention. The proposed directive on the patenting of biotechnological inventions, which was defeated by the European Parliament last year is being re-introduced by the European Commission. Although it has been significantly modified, it is unlikely to get a better reception from the animal rights and environmental groups who lobbied so hard against the first version. The first clinical use of transgenic xenografts, which is likely to happen in the next year, will attract considerable public attention. However, several projects have already been initiated with a view to producing reports which may set the scene for political initiatives.