You may think that university students are a hotbed of animal rights activity. Not so, it seems. There could be few places where the debate about the use of animals in research is more polarised than at Oxford University. Yet a new opinion poll of the students has shown considerable support for animal research and the building of the new research centre. I suspect the same is true of local residents, who are heartily sick of the antics of the antis.

RDS debates the use of animals in medical research at many universities. We have found very strong support from students. This is not just from science students, but from many other faculties too. On November 11th the anti-vivisection opposition in a debate on animal testing at Durham University were soundly trounced. The motion was carried overwhelmingly. Long live student debates!