Ricky Gervais Blasts University's Tests on Kittens

Like us on Facebook:

The current article you are reading does not reflect the views of the current editors and contributors of the new Ecorazzi

Ricky Gervais is speaking out against animal testing conducted at a U.K. university.

According to Contactmusic, it was revealed this week that Cardiff University in Wales had conducted “sensory deprivation” tests on over 30 kittens, and Gervais was “sickened” by what he learned about these tests.

“I am appalled that kittens are being deprived of sight by having their eyelids sewn shut. I thought sickening experiments like these were a thing of the past,” he said.

Representatives from the university have claimed there is a need for the tests, saying they were intended to determine how the brain responds when the kittens experienced sensory deprivation. They report that the testing stopped in 2010.

“Cardiff University rejects the accusation this experiment is cruel or unnecessary. It is impossible to use any other kind of ­technique for this study. The work was approved by both the University’s ethical review process and the Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit as part of the licensing process,” the university said in a statement released.

Gervais also helped launch BUAV’s Cruelty-Free International, a global campaign against animal testing for cosmetic products.

Photo Credit: Harmony Gerber / Shutterstock.com