Groups opposed to medical experiments on animals have been protesting in Oxford for months. The group Speak is trying to stop the building of an 18m biomedical research centre that will be used for testing on animals.
Invite young people's opinions on animal research. On what grounds can it be justified?
Laurie Pycroft, a 16-year-old from Swindon, launched a counter-protest, and attracted a lot of support for his cause. He set up a web site - www.pro-test.org.uk - that received a lot of media coverage and led to the weekend demonstration, which was backed by many students. Talk about why so many people wanted to support his initiative.
A spokesperson for the animal rights protest group, Speak, has said it opposes violent protest. Yet there were arrests in January when violence broke out and missiles were thrown at a rally organised by Speak. What do young people think of animal rights protesters? They have a reputation for extremism and making threats against others. How does this affect peaceful animal rights protest movements?
Each side circulates publicity arguing its case. The animal rights campaigners say that animals are tortured. Those in favour of research say that experiments are vital to advance medicine and save human lives. Ask young people which group they are most persuaded by. How easy is it to test their arguments and weigh the value of their evidence? Do most people make a considered judgment or just follow their instincts?
The 16-year-old who began Pro-Test says he has received death threats and hate mail. So have the scientists who have spoken out in favour of animal research. The construction workers building the new centre are often masked, so they cannot be identified. Talk about these threats.
Why do people feel so strongly about animals that they will inflict suffering on other people?
