German army looks for alternative to animal testing

Thousands of animals have been killed in the course of experiments in Germany.

Since 2004 the German army has sacrificed 3,300 animals in researching the effects of chemical and biological weapons, n-tv.de has reported.

An army press secretary said the tests had fully complied legislation protecting animal rights.

According to army documents, during the tests animals were infected with Siberian plague, Ebola and Congo fever and mustard gas.

The spokesperson said that the research helps diagnose and cure diseases that German soldiers catch in exotic countries, adding that alternatives to animal testing will be sought.