M Harrison of the originally entitled group Seriously Ill Against Vivisection (Evening Advertiser, November 26), who is opposed to the need to use some animals in medical research, presumably never visits his GP or takes his pets to the vet.

The fact is that all modern prescription medicines are developed and tested with the help of animal studies. And I am not simply talking of the legally required animal testing before human clinical trials. I am referring to the research and development which is conducted in the fundamental stages of drug discovery. If anyone should disagree with me, then please name me an available prescription medicine that has been developed without any animal research.

Phil Beaven (letters, November 26) couldn't have read the letter I wrote, because I never mentioned foxhunting. I am talking about people with muddled priorities putting human lives at stake, which is a completely different issue.

Seriously Ill for Medical Research (SIMR) is a patients' group which supports the humane use of animals and genetic technology where necessary in medical research. For a free information pack please write to SIMR, PO Box 504, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LU.

Thomas Bromley

Littlehampton