Michael T Craig calls for greater scrutiny of Scottish Green Party policies, in particular those which would impact on the use of animals in scientific research (Letters, April 30).
I welcome such scrutiny, and I believe that most researchers would share our desire to minimise the suffering of animals used in the laboratory, and the desire to develop alternatives wherever possible.
On the issue of genetic engineering Mr Craig acknowledges that we are seeking a moratorium on genetic engineering of animals, not a ban. Given the range of complex issues involved, from basic animal welfare to the reliability of animal testing, we believe it is right to take some time to properly examine the implications of this fast-moving area of research. The Scottish Greens will welcome the opportunity to sit down with researchers and discuss these issues.
A major concern for me, and one not mentioned by Mr Craig, is the so-far poorly examined area of gene patents.
I’d be the first to acknowledge that medical research which leads to better treatment is a wonderful thing for society. Yet if the results of such research and the methods needed to reproduce it are held as intellectual property, and the owners of that intellectual property restrict access to the benefit which has been created, then regrettably a great many people in need will not be helped. Many aspects of intellectual property law were designed for an earlier age, and clearly need to be rewritten.
Most urgently, if we fail to analyse, scrutinise and discuss the use of genetic patents, we risk making global and domestic health inequalities even worse than they are now, while a handful of large companies rake in the profits from treating the world’s wealthy. The Scottish Green position on this issue seeks merely to pause a while to debate these crucial issues.
Patrick Harvie
Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party, and Glasgow List candidate,
52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow.
In response to Jean Elliott’s comments on Alex Salmond’s dress sense at the Royal wedding, he is neither a clone nor a clown (Letters, May 2). His misconduct (as perceived by Ms Elliott) is that he wore his own attire in contrast to many heavily-bedecked and lavishly-robed fellow guests who presumably did so at considerable public expense.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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