SIR: In response to Mr Darbyshire's letter (BEN Sep 12) over Medical Research. He asks that if a drug that had been used on animal experiments could save a loved one's life, would I not use it. Well, of course, I would, because I live in the real world and, just like him, I am selfish too.

He only mentioned a rat, but let's not forget, among others, the cats, dogs and primates that are abused and killed in this way. Also the horrific torture suffered by bears for the sake of Chinese medicine.

He says he sheds tears over animal cruelty, but, in the long run, if that cruelty benefits you, it then becomes acceptable.

At the end of the day, these selfish double standards, in my opinion, do still not make it right.

Mrs B Harding

Harwood,

Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.