SIR: I refer to Mr Derbyshire's letter (Viewpoint, October 16). It is true when he stated that animals kill in the wild to survive, but this is extremely quick, just as hopefully it is when humans kill to eat meat.

The difference with animal experiments is that the animals are caged and tortured for days, weeks, months and even years. Is this God's intention? If you are comparing it with wild life, do you know of any other animal, other than human, that acts in this barbaric way. It is amazing that one half of the human population will go to extraordinary lengths to save and protect animals, while others think they have the right to use and abuse them. Would Mr Derbyshire's commitment still be the same if it were him who were caged and his blood spilled.

B Harding,

Church Meadows, Harwood

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