Dr John Hood
Vice Chancellor
Oxford University
c/o University Offices 
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JD 

											
Dear Vice Chancellor,

I am writing to express my concern that Oxford University – one of the top academic institutions in the country – should be investing £20 million in a new animal research laboratory when it could be leading the way on much-needed humane alternatives.  

248 MPs have already signed an Early Day Motion calling for an independent evaluation of the scientific validity of animal experimentation, and this move is supported by 83% of GPs according to a survey by Europeans for Medical Progress. These are factors which the University should surely be taking into account. 

Given this evolution in both scientific thinking and public attitudes, I support the call by Voice for Ethical Research at Oxford and other groups for the University to turn the proposed animal laboratory into a centre of excellence for directly relevant, human-based research. 

I look forward to your response. 

Yours sincerely,