On Thursday 20th January 2005 Oxford University’s world-famous debating society, the “Oxford Union”, debated “This House would accept the use of Animals in Medical Research”, with Andre Menache, the scientific consultant to Animal Aid, speaking second on the opposition side.
The motion was proposed by Johnathan Wright, who was frankly most impressive, combining knowledge, commonsense and humanity with a mild charisma. We can expect to see him eventually in the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
The girl who spoke against the motion was, regrettably, largely inaudible and ineffective. Lord Taverne brought a great deal of experience to bear in supporting it, but was followed by the most professional of all present on the subject, Andre Menache. One can only assume he was not at his best. He spoke at great length, but was not convincing. Saying that he was himself a vet, he assured us that to study cat illnesses one studied cats not dogs, so it made sense to study humans not animals for human illnesses. He did not mention the extent to which cats and dogs are given similar pharmaceuticals.
Dr Simon Festing made short work of Menache’s arguments, pointing out that some 80% of the preparations used by vets on animals of all kinds are also used on humans. Stanley Johnson, the Conservative PPC for Teignbridge, did little to help the anti-research cause.
Various students spoke well, memorably reminding us that animals only care for themselves and that there is no reason why we should not look after the welfare of our own species too,while not being as brutal as animals. The best speaker of the whole evening in support of the animals was a female biochemistry student.
However, unsurprisingly the motion was carried, by 204 votes to 53.
The girl who spoke against the motion was, regrettably, largely inaudible and ineffective. Lord Taverne brought a great deal of experience to bear in supporting it, but was followed by the most professional of all present on the subject, Andre Menache. One can only assume he was not at his best. He spoke at great length, but was not convincing. Saying that he was himself a vet, he assured us that to study cat illnesses one studied cats not dogs, so it made sense to study humans not animals for human illnesses. He did not mention the extent to which cats and dogs are given similar pharmaceuticals.
Dr Simon Festing made short work of Menache’s arguments, pointing out that some 80% of the preparations used by vets on animals of all kinds are also used on humans. Stanley Johnson, the Conservative PPC for Teignbridge, did little to help the anti-research cause.
Various students spoke well, memorably reminding us that animals only care for themselves and that there is no reason why we should not look after the welfare of our own species too,while not being as brutal as animals. The best speaker of the whole evening in support of the animals was a female biochemistry student.
However, unsurprisingly the motion was carried, by 204 votes to 53.
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