Speak vs Pro-Test: ‘a symbolic clash of minds’
Fears of extremist violence forced the first meeting between the leaders of Speak and Pro-Test out of University buildings. The debate, organised by Isis magazine and filmed by the BBC, had to take place in a small room above the Mitre pub. Radical opinions were exchanged between prominent figureheads on both sides of the animal rights divide.
Professor Tipu Aziz, a University neurophysiologist who has used primates in his research in Parkinson’s disease, told the audience, “People have been terrified of speaking vocally about their research. And tonight is also a reflection of this loss of democracy: Exeter College is so terrified of what will happen if it holds a debate on animal research that we have been transferred to the Mitre.
Founder of Pro-Test Laurie Pycroft told The Oxford Student: “As I understand it nowhere in the University could be found to facilitate the debate. It’s a great shame. It would be better if people within the University could come out in support of debate and of their own lab.” A University spokesperson said that she could not comment about the decisions made by individual colleges but said, “Obviously the colleges are very worried about security.
Pycroft, who has had alarms, panic buttons and extra locks installed in his house by the police, described the debate as a “symbolic clash of minds”. This was the first time that Speak and Pro-Test have gone head to head in debate, after thousands of protesters from both sides faced off on the streets of Oxford in February.
Pycroft and Aziz argued for the freedom to perform research on animals, while Speak co-founder Mel Broughton and Kathy Archibald, Director of Europeans for Medical Progress, argued against animal experimentation on both ethical and scientific grounds. After the speeches an audience member asked all four speakers to publicly condemn all violence committed in the name of animal rights. Aziz, Pycroft and Archibald did so, but Broughton refused.
Exeter student Chris Beaumont said, “I think that everyone in the room thought that was pretty outrageous.” Broughton, however, said that since he was convicted in 1997 for conspiracy to commit arson he has put all illegal activities behind him and that Speak operates within the realm of law. Broughton vowed to fight against the lab until all animal research in Oxford has stopped. “I’ve been involved for 30 years now,” he said, “if I’m involved in 30 years time then so be it.
There is no end.” A University spokesperson said, “We are fully committed to this project, both building it and then running and maintaining it.” During the debate Aziz courted controversy by saying that he had no problem with cosmetic testing, and that he was in favour of testing on chimpanzees, both of which are currently illegal in the UK. He said, “I have no personal qualms about animal testing. I’d rather save one of my fellow human beings than a chimpanzee.
Broughton said he thought these comments were “staggering” and that “Professor Aziz’ attitude to the whole evening seemed quite arrogant.” Pycroft said, “Tipu [Aziz] is one person, he’s got slightly unusual views.” Sophie Duncan, a member of the audience, was particularly surprised by Archibald’s arguments: “Until this debate I hadn’t heard the case that animal testing was a scientifically bad idea.
However, Aziz told the audience, “Everything that you have heard from the opposing side tonight is misinformation or ignorance.” The full transcript of the debate will be published in ISIS magazine on 3 June. It will also be broadcast on Oxide Radio. After the debate Broughton refused to shake hands with Pycroft or Aziz. He told The Oxford Student, “It’s nothing personal. I wouldn’t shake hands with a slaughterman.”
11th May 2006