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Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced his support for animal research and his intention to sign the People’s Petition, a pro-animal research petition started by the Coalition for Medical Progress.
Dr Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said:
“I’m delighted that the Prime Minister has spoken out so forcefully on this issue and indeed by the tough line taken by the government against the terrorism of those pursuing lawful research. It is key that this support is turned into effective judicial action. The benefits to both human and animal health from responsibly conducted research on animals have been profound.”
Dr Simon Festing, Director of the Research Defence Society, said:
“The scientific community will enormously welcome the Prime Minister’s backing of vital, life-saving medical research using animals.
“The assault on scientific research by animal rights groups had started to threaten Britain’s position as a world leader in developing new medicines.”
Lord Robert Winston, Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London, and Director of NHS Research and Development for The Hammersmith Hospitals Trust, said:
“I am delighted that the Prime Minister is strongly supporting an endeavour that is entirely humane, ethical and legal and vitally important to the health and wellbeing of people all over the world.”
Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, said:
“I know, from my own experience, what it feels like to be a victim of animal rights activists. On behalf of medical researchers, who live in fear of such intimidation, I thank Tony Blair for his personal courage in declaring his support for the use of animals in research, when there is no alternative. I hope that his statement will encourage more scientists to stand up and talk openly about their work and its importance. Action by the government, combined with the force of public opinion and support from the media can eliminate extremism from this important debate.”
Professor Tipu Aziz, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, said:
“I welcome Tony Blair’s decision to sign the People’s Petition as a vote of confidence for this government’s commitment to animal research and the benefits that it brings to both mankind and animals alike. I hope that it encourages more scientists to speak out openly about the wonderful work they do.”
Professor Chris Higgins, Director of the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, said:
“The Prime Minister’s public support is a welcome endorsement of the excellence of those caring and law abiding scientists and doctors who work with animals in order to better human health and quality of life. It also reinforces the view of the vast majority of people in this country that dedicated doctors and scientists have the right to continue their work without threats and intimidation from a very small group of misguided individuals.”
Jo Tanner, Chief Executive of The Coalition for Medical Progress, said:
“The vast majority of medicines and treatments available to us today have been developed in part using animals. The time has come for the silent majority who accept that medical progress still relies on a small amount of animal research to stand against the extremists and those who claim that animal research is unnecessary. I am delighted that the Prime Minister has signed our People’s Petition, which gives people the opportunity to register their views in confidence. More than 13,500 people have already signed the Petition and I would urge anyone who supports medical research and abhors this sort of extremist behaviour to do the same.”
Prof. John Martin, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Science, said:
“When I started doing research using animals to understand heart disease, it was a lonely experience up against a powerful lobby involving very few fanatics. Gradually, patients in the NHS have spoken publicly in favour of the need to use animals in research under the very strict controls of this country. This new popular movement has culminated with the Prime Minister himself, who has been a patient, supporting the cause of science and sanity.”
Dr. Sophie Petit-Zeman, Director of Public Dialogue, Association of Medical Research Charities, said:
“It’s fantastic news and will be a huge boost to vital life-enhancing and life-saving medical research. We all benefit from it, and owe support and gratitude to those who do it: this is not so much a People’s Petition as a public outcry to that effect. No-one wants to use animals in medical research but where there is no alternative and welfare standards are high, such work is part of a caring and humane society.”