The International Toxicology Centre is based in the aptly named village of Miser(e)y near Evreux, in Normandy, and uses animals in research for the pharmaceutical, chemical and agrochemical industries.

We want the C.I.T to abandon animal testing and modernise its research by using alternative scientific methods.

We regularly organise demonstrations to demand these changes and also inform the local population about the existence of this laboratory, which we now call the Intensive Torture Centre (Centre Intensif de Torture).

The C.I.T's victims include macaques, marmosets, guinea-pigs, dogs, mice, rats and miniature pigs. The animal units cover a surface of 12 000m².

Whilst there are alternative methods such as the use of cell cultures (toxicogenomics, MicroArray, etc), which would avoid unnecessarily torturing animals, the C.I.T persists in using archaic in-vivo methods. In-vivo testing is considered dangerous for humans by numerous internationally recognized scientists, doctors and researchers including a number of former vivisectors. Each species has a distinct genetic, (biological activity cells, tissues and organs), hormonal & immunological make up, amongst others.

The CIT nevertheless has a tissue bank and uses cell cultures, but only on a small scale and these are animal cells! They actually start their toxicological tests on animal cells prior to live animals. They still haven’t figured out, or don’t wish to admit, that they should use human cells as their chemicals are destined for human consumption.
See the article Why persist with animal testing?

Miserey Bio research centre.

In the last 5 years the C.I.T has expanded its facilities and staff and now has over 300 employees. In September 2006 the C.I.T announced an investment of 23 million euros in new installations, laboratories and animal holding pens including a 1 800 m² site for macaques and another of 2 000 m² for rodents, increasing it’s animal experimentation capacity by 40%.
With support from international groups and the pharmaceutical industry already in place in the county (GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson and Johnson & Pharmacia-Monsanto), The Haute-Normandie region, the Eure county and the Evreux district encouraged and financed the Normandie Biopark project.

Businesses can set up in this 30 hectare technological park and a research centre will accommodate start-ups which, thanks to partnerships take full advantage of these animal experimentation facilities.
This “innovation and research centre” will be an international platform allowing foreign companies to test the toxicity of their products away from any constraints and legislation in their countries of origin with EU funding to support them.