Scientists rally behind teenage Pro-Tester

Scientists carrying out animal testing for medical research were acclaimed as heroes yesterday as hundreds of demonstrators attended an unprecedented rally in support of a new biomedical research centre at Oxford University.

Two of Britain's leading scientists defied violent threats from animal rights extremists to speak out in favour of animal testing. Physiology professor John Stein, whose research on dyslexia involves recording the brain activity of monkeys, told the crowd: "This is a historic day. We are drawing a line in the sand."

Professor Tipu Aziz, a leading neurosurgeon who has used primates in his research into Parkinson's disease, said the demonstration signalled "the return of democracy to the UK. This is the end of animal rights terrorist activities in the United Kingdom".

The demonstration was organised by the pro-animal-testing campaign group Pro-Test, set up by 16-year-old Laurie Pycroft and supported by students and academics. He set up the campaign after coming across a demonstration by animal rights protesters, Speak, outside the building site for the new laboratory.

Oxford has become the main focus for animal rights campaigners after the university restarted building work on the new medical research laboratory in December. Work had been delayed by 16 months after the previous building contractor, Montpellier, pulled out following death threats. The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) warned that anyone connected to the university is a legitimate target.

Animal rights extremists have threatened attacks on nearly 100 companies and charities that have donated money to Oxford University, The Independent on Sunday revealed last week. The ALF said it would target the homes and offices of directors and employees unless they promise never to give money to the university again.

Scientists have been advised to stay silent for fear of attacks. But Professors Stein and Aziz decided to speak out publicly for the first time. Professor Stein said: "Imagine yourself a mother with a three-year-old with meningitis. Fifty years ago, that child would have died. Now, due to the discovery of penicillin, we can stop that child dying. Do we stop her getting penicillin just because it had been tested on 20 rats?"

Among the Oxford students in the crowd was Duncan Coutts, 24. Holding a banner reading: "Vegetarians against the ALF", he said: "Vegetarians are for animals but even we think the ALF are daft. They are raucous and nasty thugs."

Campaigners at Speak, who insist they are peaceful and have no connection to the ALF, organised a rival protest in Oxford yesterday. The police feared the two demonstrations could clash but there was no trouble.

Addressing the pro-testing demonstration, Oxford MP Dr Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for science, said: "My message to the extremists is that you will never win. Every action of harassment, intimidation or violence undermines any legitimacy your case ever had.

"My message to the technicians, the researchers and anyone who carries out biomedical research is that you are heroes; you are underpaid and under pressure. You are under-praised; well, we have come here today to praise you." Dr Harris also called on mainstream animal rights campaigners to condemn violence.

SCIENTISTS SPEAK OUT

"This is the return of democracy, the end of animal rights terrorist activities in the United Kingdom"

Professor Tipu Aziz

"Fifty years ago a child with meningitis would have died. Do we stop giving penicillin because it was tested on 20 rats?"

Professor John Stein