Antidote Europe is a non-profit organization founded on August 25, 2004, by researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)—including research directors who had practiced in the field for several decades.
We oppose the use of animals as biological models for humans. Our arguments are strictly scientific.
Why Antidote Europe?
Why did we create Antidote Europe, and why is our organization named “Antidote Europe”? Animal experimentation plays a significant role in scientific research and the regulation of chemical substances. Although criticized for over a century on moral grounds, the practice persists because scientists claim it is essential for discovering treatments for human diseases and for testing drugs and other chemicals. These scientists assume that animals serve as valid biological models for humans. “Wrong!” we say. And as scientists ourselves, we prove it. Antidote Europe was created to disseminate our arguments—acting as an antidote to obsolete and misleading animal tests.
Why “Antidote Europe”?
“Antidote” because it is not too late to take action, even though we are all already exposed to the risks posed by the tens of thousands of chemical compounds in our environment. The solution—a sort of counter-poison—lies in reliably assessing the toxicity of these substances and banning the most dangerous ones.
“Europe” because chemical compounds know no borders, and pollution is a global issue. The use of animals for scientific purposes is regulated by European Directive 2010/63/EU. While we wait to establish “Antidote International,” we felt it was essential to extend our reach beyond France from the very start. We collaborate with numerous organizations both within and outside our borders.
“The association is administered by an Executive Board comprising a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These three individuals are elected for a three-year term by the General Meeting and are chosen from among its members via a slate vote.”
(Article 12.1 of the Statutes).
André Ménache is a veterinarian by training. He played a pivotal role in amending the Declaration of Helsinki, a benchmark document regarding ethics in human research.
Drawing on extensive experience with international organizations, he serves as a spokesperson and scientific advisor for several animal advocacy groups, enabling Antidote Europe to leverage a broad coordination network.
On his Mediapart blog, he analyzes current scientific issues—such as clinical trials, drug side effects, cancer prevention, and glyphosate—to highlight the limitations of animal experimentation and raise public awareness. (You can find all his articles on our “In the Media” page or directly on his Mediapart blog.)
He is also the author or co-author of numerous scientific publications for Antidote Europe, working alongside Claude Reiss and other internationally renowned researchers.
Séverine Chance is an executive at a company involved in environmental issues. With Antidote Europe, she has also helped staff numerous information stands and played a very active role in the campaign promoting the “Stop Vivisection” European Citizens’ Initiative (https://antidote-europe.eu/ice-stop-vivisection/).
Her roles have included coordinating central committees across several countries, handling communications with Members of the European Parliament, and managing numerous signature-collection stands.
Angela Tandura is an architect with particular expertise in the use of eco-friendly materials. As we do not object to holding multiple roles, she continues to head our Île-de-France branch, which she founded herself.
She has organized numerous events (conferences, information booths, concerts, etc.), some in support of the “Stop Vivisection” European Citizens’ Initiative (https://antidote-europe.eu/ice-stop-vivisection/), for which she served on the organizing committee. She is active in other associations and, like André Ménache, helps coordinate joint initiatives.
Former Research Director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
A physicist by training, he worked for over thirty years at the CNRS and the Jacques Monod Institute in the fields of cell and molecular biology and genetics. He taught biology at the University of Lille. He is a founding member of Antidote Europe and served as its president from the association’s inception until October 1, 2016.
He focused particularly on regulatory toxicology tests. He devised a “Scientific Toxicology Program” and oversaw its implementation by two German firms, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of toxicology tests that do not rely on animal experimentation; these tests are rapid, cost-effective when performed on a large scale, and—above all—yield results relevant to humans. He participated in other projects and co-authored scientific papers, thereby enabling Antidote Europe to gain recognition among his scientific peers.
An environmental lawyer, she spent over ten years assisting small businesses and individuals with environmental issues, including project management, consulting, facilitation, regulatory monitoring, and lobbying. She served as President of Antidote Europe from October 1, 2016, to August 30, 2025.
Antidote Europe is an association founded, notably, by scientists from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). They observed that the incidence of cancer, neurological disorders, and other so-called “diseases of civilization” is steadily rising. These conditions may stem from our exposure to chemical substances (in the air, water, food, etc.). Yet, regulations mandate the testing of many of these substances before they can be sold. More and more tests… and more and more sick people! How can this paradox be explained?
The former research directors who founded Antidote Europe identified one of the reasons: chemical substances (including our medicines) are tested on animals. However, rats, mice, dogs, and even monkeys do not share the same biological reactions as humans. This leads to contradictory results that are irrelevant to us, yet are nonetheless taken into account by regulatory authorities.
Antidote Europe rejects the concept of the “animal model,” whether for testing chemical substances or for understanding the causes and progression of human diseases.
Retired professor of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. Author of over 190 scientific articles. Opposed to the use of animals in the field of non-invasive brain neuromodulation to restore behavioral functions.
Her interview here.
Toxicologist and Head of Department at Aston University, UK. Lead author of a scientific study—supported by the NGOs Générations Futures and Antidote Europe and published in the peer-reviewed journal *PLoS One*—demonstrating the harmful effects of mixtures of certain commonly used pesticides.
He conducted toxicology studies for Antidote Europe demonstrating that it is possible to easily detect the toxic effects of mixtures of chemical substances to which we may be exposed—something that cannot be done on a large scale using animals.
Read his interview here.
University professor, researcher, PhD holder, and advisor on methods to replace animal testing; coordinator and lecturer for courses on these methods. She co-authored a scientific paper with André Ménache on the European REACH regulation regarding chemical substances.
Read her interview here.
General practitioner in the Paris region and nutrition specialist.
Read the interview here.
Psychiatrist, following studies in neurology and psychosomatic medicine. Also holds a degree in health administration. Chief Physician at the Prinzregent-Luitpold Clinic in Bad Reichenhall. Member of the German association “Doctors Against Animal Experiments.”
Read the interview here.
Dr. David Gortler is a Yale-trained pharmacologist, pharmacist, and researcher in clinical and molecular biology, specializing in vascular medicine, lipid metabolism, and experimental medicine. Following his studies and postdoctoral work, he entered the private sector, working on drug development for the pharmaceutical industry.
He subsequently returned to the Yale University School of Medicine as a professor of pharmacology and biotechnology. He also served as a faculty representative at the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics. He left Yale after being hired by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medical officer and senior medical analyst responsible for reviewing new drugs. As a senior official, Dr. Gortler advised the FDA on complex clinical and regulatory proposals.
He has proposed major public health initiatives, notably the use of organ-on-a-chip technology as a method to reduce—or even eliminate—animal testing as a requirement for new drug approval.
Read his interview here.
Occupational physician. Member of the German association “Doctors Against Animal Experiments.”
Read the interview here.
Surgeon and emergency physician. Specialist in orthopedic surgery, also affiliated with Heidelberg University Hospital, and a member of the German association “Doctors Against Animal Experiments.”
Read the interview here.
Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua. He has conducted research on the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of environmental pollutants and, more recently, on the biological risks associated with modern biotechnology processes and products, as well as electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Read his interview here.
