Like science, maths (or math to our US friends) doesn’t appear to be a strong suit for antivivisectionists. A letter in today’s Guardian from Adolfo Sansolini of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection just doesn’t add up.

He implies that polls show decreasing support for animal research. He bases his conclusion on the following poll results:

1995 Harris poll “Is it all right to use animals in experiments to test new drugs?” 40% said yes
2001 ICM poll “Do you support or oppose the use of animals in scientific testing of new medicines for human consumption?” 46% agreed
2005 ICM poll “Do you agree or disagree with the use of animals in experiments to test new medicines?” 50% agreed

There are dangers in comparing apples with oranges, but this looks like increasing support to me.