Speaking up for animal testing

last updated 8 January 2015

London

Britain, the birthplace of the animal-rights movement, has now spawned a pro-animal-testing movement—with a 16-year-old boy leading the charge. Laurie Pycroft, who hopes to be a neurosurgeon someday, formed the group Pro-Test last month to counter activists who have been aggressively opposing construction of a new medical research facility at Oxford. Animal-rights activists have threatened construction officials and called all Oxford students “potential targets.” Pycroft, arguing that testing new drugs on animals can save human lives, posted a call for fellow pro-testers on his blog, and soon gathered 800 people for a rally at the building site. Pycroft said he has received several death threats, but has no plans to quit. “It’s time to speak out in support of scientific research,” he said.