Philip Connolly (letter 2/02/04) should not be surprised that people are jubilant that Cambridge University has cancelled its' new laboratory for experiments on primates. 76% of the British public (BUAV poll) oppose painful animal experimentation. At the public enquiry for the laboratory, the independent inspector looked at all the evidence and said there wasn't any need for the centre. Cambridge University has been unable to provide examples of findings from monkeys that translate into progress in medical care for people. The use of animals to develop drugs for humans is extremely problematic. Even the scientific director of Huntingdon Life Sciences, says the accuracy of using animals to predict effects in humans is 5-25 per cent. Hardly exact science. In truth, animal testing promotes ambiguity, as some drugs test safe on animals, and harm humans. Less harmful and more accurate solutions exist to animal testing, including quantum pharmacology, in vitro research, and tissue cultures. Later this year, the Neurosciences Research Institute at Aston University will open. They won't be damaging monkey brains to study Alzheimer's, but will instead study human brains, both living and post-mortem. The results from their studies will be directly relevant to humans. Greens are working for an end to the use of animals in scientific research, and increased funding for the development of modern, humane alternatives. As Professor Claude Reiss, who gave evidence at the inquiry said; "No species can function as a reliable biological model for another species. Even the chimpanzee, our closest relative in evolutionary terms, is no model for research on the human brain."

Martin Whiteside - Green Party District Councillor and Parliamentary Candidate Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, Glos. GL6 7LU