Tummy-tuck skin avoids animal tests

Toulouse-based Genoskin uses a gel matrix to keep the human skin alive after it is donated from plastic surgery clinics.

Human skin also gives more accurate results as animal skin can present testing issues due to differences affecting toxicity.

Genoskin founder Pascal Descargues said: “Animal testing is inefficient, time-consuming, expensive and increasingly perceived as un­ethical.

“Our technology marks a turning point.”

Since 2013 it has been illegal to sell cosmetics in the EU that have been, or contain ingredients which have been, tested on animals. However, it is not banned in the US.

Geno­skin plans to expand to Boston to give US biotech test labs speedier access to skin samples as well as avoiding customs and other delays.

Mr Descargues said it could end animal testing.