SIR - After years of reading the letters in the T&A, I have come to the conclusion we are very selective regarding the views of scientists.

I have read they don't know what they are talking about when it comes to global warming and passive smoking, yet when they say there are no alternatives to performing experiments on animals they are to be believed.

The fact is there are several alternatives but many scientists cannot be bothered to use them; I suppose it entails learning new techniques.

The Humane Research Trust and the Dr Hadwen Trust are two of the charities funding research in universities and hospitals which use different approaches in studying a whole range of medical conditions including cancer.

Two examples of cruel, pointless experiments are: sewing up the eyelids of new-born kittens to study human lazy eye (Oxford University) and the cutting of one of the nerves to the tongues of 56 healthy cats and ferrets to investigate ways of repairing damaged nerves (Dentistry School, Sheffield).

To borrow from Alexander Pope, "the proper study of mankind is Man."

Cynthia Trasi, Kirkgate, Shipley.