A recent Netflix documentary named DIRTY MONEY (video above) revisited the dieselgate scandal but with new evidence of live monkeys being subjected to gassing. Really, Germany?
So what happened?
Well, the monkey tests were indeed performed, but were partly also sponsored by BMW and the Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) group. The latter groups have admitted to suspending (or moving elsewhere) their staff members who were linked to the monkey testing program in 2013.
Why it's bad
Volkswagen’s own lawyers were in fact fully knowledgeable and complicit. Emails regarding the testing were in fact sent as early as June 2013 by Micheal Spallek, head of the European Research Association on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) – the somewhat innocent name of the now-disbanded organisation responsible for what is essentially the torturing of animals. Again, not only did VW’s lawyers know about this, but they were actively involved in adapting the exams for their own purposes.
Hans Dieter Poetsch, Volkswagen supervisory board Chairman adds “I’ll do everything possible to ensure that this matter is investigated in detail.” The official word from Volkswagen remains “this study was never discussed in any management board meetings” despite the email that has since surfaced. VW has since vowed to never test on live animals ever again, but you have to ask. Is it too late for the automaker to come back from this?
