January 21, 2009

scientists react to sentencing of animal rights activists

The seven activists were sentenced to between four and eleven years for a campaign of blackmail and intimidation against companies involved in supplying Huntingdon Life Sciences

Dr Simon Festing, Chief Executive, Understanding Animal Research, said:

“These sentences signal the end of the long dark era of animal rights extremism. Everyone now knows that trying to intimidate people into abandoning vital medical research using animals will fail.”

Karen Gardner, from the Institute of Animal Technology, said:

“The sentences today are a massive step forward when compared to the history of prosecutions of animal rights extremists. They reassure everyone working in biomedical research that we are safer from extremists now, than we have been in recent memory. Animal research plays a crucial role in the development of new medicines and treatments for human and veterinary medicine. The UK leads the world in the standards of welfare for laboratory animals. Feeling safe while we pursue our work is essential, as anyone would understand . Anything that makes us feel safer and more secure, at work and home, helps us work more effectively for the benefit of the animals we care for, and the improvements in medical treatment we are trying to achieve.”

Dr Philip Wright, Director of Science and Technology at the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries, said:

“The length of the sentences represents the seriousness of the intimidation and harassment that were committed by these people – as noted by the judge.
It is important to recognise that we have seen a decline in the number of home attacks, which have fallen from 259 in 2003 to ten last year. Having said that, one attack is one too many, especially when you consider how nasty they can be for children and other family members being intimidated.
It is therefore vitally important that police and Government maintain their focus if the UK is continue to be a leader in the development of new medicines.

“The research-based pharmaceutical industry remains committed to minimising the use of animals in research. However, for the moment, they remain an essential element for the discovery and development of new medicines and where they are used good welfare practice is very important.”