Menu
14/03/2012
Refusal To Transport Lab Animals "Choking Off" Medical Research
A former science minister has warned that vital medical research is being “choked off” by airlines and ferry companies refusing to carry animals into the country for testing.
Lord Drayson, a minister in the last Labour government, said "extremists" had put pressure on the companies resulting in them pulling out of transporting laboratory mice and other animals.
The Times reported that Stena Line had followed DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries in halting the carriage of test animals, closing the last sea route for medical researchers.
Lord Drayson said that university research in the UK would wither and patients needing new treatments would die unless the government took action.
"What the extremists have done successfully over the years is identify weak links in the chain and to target the people at those weak links to be able to stop the process," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
"The important thing is for the government to work with the transport industry as a whole to get together to agree that all transport companies, whether they are airlines or ferries, will support the transport of animals and therefore people cannot be picked off."
Writing in The Times, he said that the pullout of the last ferry company should be a red flag for all sides to come together to deal with the problems.
"By giving in to the protesters, they are choking off vital research into debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer," he wrote.
"Although small in number, animals such as mice contribute significantly to the development of new medicines to combat human and animal diseases.
"If companies continue to withdraw from transporting these animals, the search for cures will shift to other countries, some of which do not have welfare regulations as stringent as those we rightly insist upon in the UK.
The science minister, David Willetts, said the government was seeking an agreement in which the life sciences industry would agree a code of practice on the transport of animals and in return the transport industry would resume the trade.
"That is what we still hope we can put together because it makes sense for everyone," he told the Today programme.
"This is standing up for scientific research which is of great benefit to humankind. I still hope we can reach a solution which means we carry on having world-class research in Britain."
(H)
Lord Drayson, a minister in the last Labour government, said "extremists" had put pressure on the companies resulting in them pulling out of transporting laboratory mice and other animals.
The Times reported that Stena Line had followed DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries in halting the carriage of test animals, closing the last sea route for medical researchers.
Lord Drayson said that university research in the UK would wither and patients needing new treatments would die unless the government took action.
"What the extremists have done successfully over the years is identify weak links in the chain and to target the people at those weak links to be able to stop the process," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
"The important thing is for the government to work with the transport industry as a whole to get together to agree that all transport companies, whether they are airlines or ferries, will support the transport of animals and therefore people cannot be picked off."
Writing in The Times, he said that the pullout of the last ferry company should be a red flag for all sides to come together to deal with the problems.
"By giving in to the protesters, they are choking off vital research into debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer," he wrote.
"Although small in number, animals such as mice contribute significantly to the development of new medicines to combat human and animal diseases.
"If companies continue to withdraw from transporting these animals, the search for cures will shift to other countries, some of which do not have welfare regulations as stringent as those we rightly insist upon in the UK.
The science minister, David Willetts, said the government was seeking an agreement in which the life sciences industry would agree a code of practice on the transport of animals and in return the transport industry would resume the trade.
"That is what we still hope we can put together because it makes sense for everyone," he told the Today programme.
"This is standing up for scientific research which is of great benefit to humankind. I still hope we can reach a solution which means we carry on having world-class research in Britain."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 July 2013
PHE Launch Resistant E. Coli Investigation
Public Health England has launched a UK-wide investigation into the spread of an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli. With experts warning there is a growing risk in hospitals, the study will look at the spread of the resistant strain in healthy people, patients, farm animals, sewage and slurry.
PHE Launch Resistant E. Coli Investigation
Public Health England has launched a UK-wide investigation into the spread of an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli. With experts warning there is a growing risk in hospitals, the study will look at the spread of the resistant strain in healthy people, patients, farm animals, sewage and slurry.
10 June 2005
Woman jailed for animal cruelty
A woman who kept almost 300 animals in her home has been jailed for three months at Preston Magistrates’ Court. Rosalind Gregson, 55, was also banned from keeping any animals for life. The court was told that Ms Gregson kept 271 animals, including 246 dogs, 16 birds, five cats, two kittens, a rabbit and a chinchilla, in her home.
Woman jailed for animal cruelty
A woman who kept almost 300 animals in her home has been jailed for three months at Preston Magistrates’ Court. Rosalind Gregson, 55, was also banned from keeping any animals for life. The court was told that Ms Gregson kept 271 animals, including 246 dogs, 16 birds, five cats, two kittens, a rabbit and a chinchilla, in her home.
21 May 2004
Animals used in scientific experiments get welfare centre
A national centre for animal research and welfare will be established to help replace, refine and reduce the use of animals for scientific purposes, the government announced today.
Animals used in scientific experiments get welfare centre
A national centre for animal research and welfare will be established to help replace, refine and reduce the use of animals for scientific purposes, the government announced today.
15 April 2013
Animals Killed In Zoo Blaze
A number of animals have died after a fire broke out at a zoo near Edinburgh at the weekend. The blaze spread through the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian in the early hours of Sunday morning. At least two meerkats and an otter are among the animals killed, while nine further meerkats are missing and feared dead.
Animals Killed In Zoo Blaze
A number of animals have died after a fire broke out at a zoo near Edinburgh at the weekend. The blaze spread through the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian in the early hours of Sunday morning. At least two meerkats and an otter are among the animals killed, while nine further meerkats are missing and feared dead.
12 October 2015
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
