The feeble team of assorted antivivisectionists deserved to lose the debate at the Oxford Union last Wednesday night - as they did. Alistair Currie is a junior staff member of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection with no obvious research experience. Andrew Knight has a veterinary degree, but likewise no apparent research experience, and promotes vegan pet-food. Gill Langley is an old-time antivivisectionist who has been trotting out the same sad and weary line about species differences for decades (as if we didn’t know). We won’t even comment on Yuri Geller.

By contrast, the eminent scientists speaking in favour of animal research included Professor Colin Blakemore, Professor John Stein, and Lord Robert Winston. Any one of these has more expertise in animal research than the combined members of the opposition panel. Compared to them, the antivivisectionists simply have no credibility. Is this the best they can do?

On 27th April the Oxford Union proposed the motion “This house would not test on animals”. Over 85% of the Oxford Union voted against the motion, at 321 votes, defeating the motion by 225 votes. Given the antivivisection line-up, it’s surprising they got as many votes as they did. They must have invited all their friends.

Our congratulations to Laurie Pycroft, founder of Pro-Test, who also spoke up for animal research. He made history by becoming the youngest person ever invited to speak at the prestigious Oxford Union debating society.