Ricky Gervais - Ricky Gervais 'Sickened' By Kitten Research

It emerged this week (begs23Jul12) that more than 30 kittens were used in tests to find out how the brain responds to sensory deprivation.

The creatures were later put down and the revelation has caused controversy in Britain, with Gervais insisting he is disgusted by the news.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "I am appalled that kittens are being deprived of sight by having their eyelids sewn shut. I thought sickening experiments like these were a thing of the past."

Bosses at Cardiff University in Wales, where the experiment was carried out, have defended the tests, which ended in 2010.

A statement reads, "Cardiff University rejects the accusation this experiment is cruel or unnecessary. It is impossible to use any other kind of ­technique for this study. The work was approved by both the University's ethical review process and the Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit as part of the licensing process."