TO ANSWER Mr Bromley's letter (Evening Advertiser, December 4), there is a long history of medical progress without the use of animals. Some examples being:
Methotrexate, one of the first effective drugs for childhood leukaemia and still important in its treatment today; sodium cromoglycate (Intal) used to prevent asthma; beta-blockers for blood pressure; Digitalis for heart failure; morphine as a painkiller; nitrite drugs for angina; quinine for malaria; and salicylic acid, the active ingredient of Aspirin.
In contrast, animal experiments delayed the introduction of blood transfusions by 200 years and corneal transplants by 90.
Animal experiments give misleading results, which are not replicated in humans and can delay the development of medical cures or, worse, cause damaging effects in people. There have been many drugs safety tested on animals that have caused serious side effects and even deaths when given to humans.
Animal testing is not legally required, there are many better and more reliable methods available. For more information contact NAVS, 261 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 9PE.
MARILYN HARRISON
Beaulieu Close
Toothill, Swindon
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