May 26, 2006

scientists react to University of Oxford protest injunction

Oxford University has been granted an extension to its existing injunction against animal rights activists.

The press release is available from the University of Oxford website: www.ox.ac.uk

Prof Tipu Aziz, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, said:

“I welcome this news, but I am also happy that this is injunction is not as severe as it could have been. If the injunction was more severe it may have encouraged the Animal Liberation Front to use illegal and possibly violent tactics instead of open demonstration.”

Professor John Stein, Department of Physiology at Oxford University, said:

“I welcome the effect of this injunction which will be to stop the interruption of university life but I do worry about the victimisation of some of the protesters. I am rather concerned about the shift in focus of this debate away from the issues of animal welfare and the benefits of animal research, which is what I care about, to the bashing of extremists.”