German Carmakers Confirm Diesel Tests on Humans, Monkeys

German car makers have confirmed that the researchers they commissioned used monkeys and humans to test the health effects of inhaling diesel fumes, while the German government said such studies were unjustifiable.

The German Government said these tests could not be justified and called for answers.

Car makers Volkswagen, Daimler, and BWM denounced the reports and Volkswagen’s supervisory board has called for an immediate inquiry, promising that consequences will be held for those who were involved.

“I will do everything possible to ensure that this matter is investigated in detail,” Volkswagen supervisory board Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch said in a statement.

“Whoever is responsible for this must, of course, be held accountable,” Poetsche said in response to a report on Friday that Germany has used an organization called European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) to commission the tests.

All 3 companies funded EUGT that reportedly conducted the testing on 10 monkeys and 25 people in 2014. The study was conducted to defend diesel consumption, following revelations that the fuel’s exhaust fumes were carcinogenic, sources reported. In addition to that, EUGT was dissolved by the car makers last year.

Volkswagen tweeted that it “explicitly distances itself from all forms of animal cruelty.”

“We know that the scientific methods used by EUGT were wrong and apologise sincerely for this,” tweeted the company.

Volkswagen has pledged never to test with animals again.

“We want to absolutely rule out testing on animals for the future so that this doesn’t happen again,” said Thomas Steg, VW’s chief lobbyist.

Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler said that it was “appalled by the nature and extent of the studies” and “have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.”

BMW said that it “did not participate in the mentioned study” on animals, and “distances itself from this study.” It said it was investigating the work and background of the research group.

Meanwhile, another source reported that EUGT also commissioned tests in which humans were exposed to nitrogen oxides. The research group reported that the tests showed no effect on the subjects.

The European Commission was aware of reports of testing and “hope that the Minister of the respective country will be able to explain what has happened” at a ministerial air-quality summit that will take place in Brussels on Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman for the European Commission.

Steffen Seibert, spokesman of Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that “the disgust many people are feeling is absolutely understandable.”

“These tests on monkeys or even humans can in no way be ethically justified,” said Seibert. “They raise many critical questions for those behind these tests, and these questions must urgently be answered.”

Volkswagen shares finished at €183.60, with a rise of 0.33%, but BMW dropped 0.68% to close at €92.86. Daimler shares rose 0.11% to end at €74.89.

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