SIR – For more than a century, information on animal experiments has been kept secret. However, this could be about to change, as the Government is reviewing the animal experiment ‘secrecy clause’ and has asked for your opinion.
This ‘secrecy clause’ is Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act. It enables animal experiments to happen in secret, and makes revealing any information about them a criminal offence – even with the researcher’s consent.
The National Anti-Vivisection Society is leading the call to repeal the secrecy clause and prevent needless animal suffering.
More than four million animals are currently experimented on each year in the UK, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Help us ensure that no experiment is duplicated and modern non-animal methods are always considered before experiments on animals take place, supporting better science.
Take part in the public consultation on animal experiment secrecy before June 13. Visit navs.org.uk for details.
Jan Creamer, chief executive, National Anti-Vivisection Society, Millbank Tower, London
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