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Scientists respond to the announcement that plans for a new Primate Research Centre in Cambridge are being axed.
Professor Nancy Rothwell, School of Biological Sciences at Manchester University, said:
“It’s unfortunate that a very small minority can have such a huge influence – especially when the latest survey shows that over 90% of the British public voted in favour of the use of animals in medical research.”
Mark Matfield, Director of the Research Defence Society, said:
“This is a serious blow for British medical research. These delays and security concerns were caused by orchestrated threats and intimidation. The government needs to bring in tougher legislation to tackle extremist campaigns. Otherwise they will remain a threat to all medical science that depends on animal research.”
Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, said:
“Primates are, of course, special, and we strive to minimise their use. But studies involving primates have been crucial for our understanding of brain function, and have underpinned the development of brain scanning methods in people.
Medical research with primates, including work at Cambridge, has led to important advances in understanding the brain and brain disorders. Current research in primates is offering hope of treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease and strokes.”
Aisling Burnand, Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association, said:
“The intimidatory tactics and fear generated by an extremist group has led to Cambridge’s decision. This decision demonstrates clearly why a single piece of legislation is needed to protect people involved in biomedical research. We urge the Government to act swiftly and find Parliamentary time to introduce measures to protect people carrying out legitimate research in to life-saving medicines and therapies, without which we will not be able to find cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer.”
Professor David Morton, Professor of Biomedical Science & Ethics, said:
“While this may be seen as a lost opportunity for advancing science and improving the welfare of primates in research through building modern facilities, it raises a more fundamental question of whether we should be using them in the first place.”
Simon Festing, Association of Medical Research Charities, said:
“We are deeply despondent at the way the animal rights protestors have dealt a blow to medical research in the UK. Patients suffering appalling neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease will be the losers.”
Vicky Cowell, Seriously Ill for Medical Research (SIMR), said:
“We have members with neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis who were looking to this new center for fresh hope.
“While we are disappointed by the decision we have been hugely encouraged by the fact that the Government has made a stand on this issue and have been seen to be supportive of the need for animal research.”
Ray Tallis, Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester, said:
“As a clinician who cares for older people who suffer from the devastating experience of degenerative brain disease, I am bitterly disappointed at the setback to research in their condition that has resulted from the axing of this research centre. No one who is serious about human suffering can oppose animal research of the kind that was envisaged at Cambridge.”