Cambridge Lab given go-ahead

Doubt remains over primate lab

By Jonathan Amos
BBC News Online science staff



The work will be done on marmosets and macaques
Cambridge University has conceded its controversial primate laboratory may
never be built because of high costs.
The UK Government approved plans for the £30m neuroscience centre on Friday,
to the dismay of animal rights groups who say the lab's work will be cruel.

But Cambridge Pro-Vice-Chancellor Tony Minson said a £7m shortfall in
funding would mean construction work next year would be delayed - and may
never begin.

"Unless we find a business plan that works, the project is at risk," he
said.

The lab, earmarked for university land on the northern outskirts of the
city, will conduct brain experiments on marmosets and macaques, to advance
the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, such as
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

'Special circumstances'

Local planners had previously thrown out the university's request to build
the lab after police raised fears about public safety at the site, on a main
road and close to a motorway intersection.

But after the direct intervention of Tony Blair and his chief scientific
adviser, Sir David King, in support of the lab, a public inquiry was held
late last year and its final decision called into Whitehall for approval.

On Friday, Mr Prescott's office said the inspector recommended that the
university's appeal be dismissed but Mr Prescott disagreed.

"...the Secretary of State concludes that in the circumstances of this case
very special circumstances exist that are sufficient to outweigh any harm to
the Green Belt and other interests caused by the development," a
spokesperson said.

Cambridge University said it was pleased the research centre had been given
the go-ahead, but accepted increased costs had put a big question mark
against the lab's future.

"It's conceivable it may not go ahead," Professor Minson said. "We're
convinced of the science; we're convinced of its national importance - and
so is the Deputy Prime Minister. If we can manage the finances, we will do
it."

Professor Minson said it was the expected running costs of £1.5m a year that
were proving particularly problematic.

'Dubious' science

Animal rights groups condemned Friday's decision. They said the science was
flawed because the monkey and human brains differed in vital respects,
making many experiments worthless.

They also questioned the university's record on animal welfare, arguing
recent undercover work had revealed poor practice in the university's other
labs.

Wendy Higgins, from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection
(Buav), said the decision was no surprise, coming "just at the time that
Cambridge University itself is throwing doubt over the project due to rising
costs.

"This means the government has kept its bargain to back up the vivisection
industry by granting approval in the full knowledge that the final decision
is now left to the university."

The Buav predicted that, if the project went ahead, it would be blighted at
every step by animal rights protests.

"With such a display of arrogant disregard for public opinion, is it any
wonder that an increasing number of citizens feel their only option is to
abandon the political process and take to the streets instead?" Higgins
said.

The fuss over the project and the university's concern over finances have
led to wide speculation among campaign groups that Cambridge, now that it
has its "victory", will withdraw its application - with the government
moving primate study to its military research centre at Porton Down, in
Wiltshire.

"Cambridge is looking for a way out," said Andrew Tyler, the director of
Animal Aid. "If they take it to Porton Down it will compound the fact that
this is grotesque and pointless research by making it secret and
inaccessible as well. Wherever it goes, we will fight it."

'Crucial role'

Primates represent a very small part of the animal experimentation programme
in Britain. The vast majority of 2.7 million annual procedures are done on
rodents.

Fewer than 3,500 experiments are carried out on mokeys, and fewer still
involve a highly invasive practice such as cutting into the brain.

Professor Chris Higgins, director of the Medical Research Council's Clinical
Services Centre, said: "Our work on basic brain function couldn't be applied
to human disease without some sort of research being done on animals - and
in some cases, these animals have to be primates.

Note*
John (Two Jags) Prescott was elected Lab MP for Hull (East) in 1970. He is
now universally hated in the city and treated as a figure of fun. Contrary
to popular belief - he is not a Yorkshireman. he is in fact a 'Taff'

Just thought I would clear that one up.

*Not part of the BBC report.