May 1, 2007

police operation to crack down on animal rights extremists

Scientists commented on the news that police had raided homes across the UK, as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands, and arrested 32 people on suspicion of involvement in animal rights extremism.

Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor and Warden of Durham University and medical researcher, said:

“This is very good news indeed for medical research and healthcare. These extremists are threatening dedicated researchers going about their daily work and the sooner they are stopped the better for the country as a whole.”

Professor Tipu Aziz, Consultant Neurosurgeon, University Of Oxford, said:

“The news today is very heartening to hear. Over the last decade scientists, and more recently the members of the general public, have been terrorised by the actions and prejudices of extremists.”

Aisling Burnand, Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), said:

“News of today’s operation will act as a great fillip to the medical research community across Europe. Recent efforts of the police, Government and judiciary have resulted in a significant decline in the incidence of animal rights extremism and are much welcomed by the UK’s bioscience community.

“We very much hope that such a coordinated investigation will help to put an end to the criminal activities of those individuals who remain determined to disrupt ground-breaking medical research.”