Letters to the Editor

SIR, - Interesting things, league tables. If you take the results of the Wharfedale 'pyramid' out of the Bradford listings in the Primary School league tables, Bradford only slips a couple of places, but still doesn't reach the bottom.

However, if you treat the Wharfedale schools as their own LEA, they would come second overall. OK, unfair manipulation of statistics. But doesn't this suggest that the Wharfedale schools are doing something right - and the rest of Bradford could learn from them?

So, is Bradford LEA analysing the good practice of our local schools, and spreading the word of success? Or is it still scrimping in Wharfedale by building schools a classroom too small for their entry, by penny-pinching in playcourt and facilities provision, by insisting on the barest legal minima wherever they can?

Thank heavens we have teachers who can obviously rise above this.

Nick Beeson

5 Alexandra Place,

Ilkley.

Iraq parallels

SIR, - I wonder if anyone else has noticed how the current Iraq crisis is bringing to a head the issue of European Union, common currency, etc and the strange parallels with the outbreak of the 1939-45 war.

The countries of continental Europe were too slow to realise the menace of Hitler and were duly immobile, just as they are now hesitating over action against Iraq.

Great Britain stood alone initially (after getting over the Chamberlain appeasement episode) and was then given enormous help by the United States (American versions of events in popular films sometimes distort the events!).

But in the final analysis, Britain and the US turned the tide of democracy by their steadfastness and bravery. Recognise the current scenario yet?

Economic statistics seem to state that our trade with Europe and the US is currently about equal, and we could choose to jump into either camp, given the fact that global non-tariff conditions are never likely to be achieved because of vested interest on both sides.

So which way should we jump? Having hesitated myself, the latest announcement that all US citizens are to be offered smallpox vaccines against biological warfare attack has helped me to decide.

Let continental Europe carry on focusing on unrealistic farming policies, the nonsense of enforced metrication and every-burgeoning bureaucracy, whilst the enemy prepares for absolute pandemonium.

I'd prefer to be alive, free and on the winning side. Despite their many faults, my vote is for the Yanks, no common currency and withdrawal from the EU.

J MORRISON

27 Press Road,

Keighley.

Debate archaic

SIR, - The latest debate on the 'moral' issue of using living animals in medical research (BBC Radio 4, The Moral Maze), was as archaic and meaningless as the subject itself.

Indeed, it could well have been a resurrected programme, verbatim, repeating the same old cliches, the same arguments put forward and done to the death in the 1980s.

A time when scientists were beginning to feel the impact of increased opposition, not only to the nature of such experiments, but the fact that they have more to do with human profit than human health benefits.

Although animal experimentation in all its forms has always been controversial, with many in the medical profession speaking out on moral and/or scientific grounds, often to their cost, that opposition today has grown to an unprecedented level.

Such opposition has ensured that the applications by Cambridge University for a primate facility for brain research has so far been refused by the council.

Sadly, many people still believe that animal experiments are an important, scientifically valid means of medical discovery. But they would be wrong.

Millions of pounds are invested in keeping the myth alive and the shole network of (commercially driven) vested interests is huge and far-reaching in all influential and high positions which have the means and the power to sway public opinion to uphold the status quo.

Robin Cook's film, 'Terminal', ends with the words: "One out of every five deaths in the US is from cancer. More than 1,250,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year. Scientists are frantically competing to find a cure for cancer; but all they've discovered so far is how to cause it."

Dr Michael Mansfield in the Ecologist Vol 32 tells us: "Environmental factors account for most causative influences in 75 per cent or more of most cancers." Chemicals etc that are 'safety' tested...on animals before marketing! It may well be then that this primate research laboratory will be sanctioned - a foregone conclusion whatever the opposition - at some future date.

Thousands of hapless animals will be doomed to die for a cause that will ensure the equally trusting human guinea pigs may well be curd to death. Unless you say differently.

JACQUELINE SHORTLAND

The Garden Flat,

3 Northumberland Terrace,

West Hoe,

Plymouth.

Runners wanted

SIR, - Do any of your readers want to run in the Flora London Marathon in 2003?

The British Lung Foundation is looking for runners either with their own places in the race to run in aid of the charity, or who are ready to take on a BLF Gold Bond place.

Anyone wanting a Gold Bond place should e-mail events@britishlungfoundation.com - all we ask is that you raise a minimum of £1,500 and in return we will give you a place in the London Marathon, personal training advice and a team training day. In addition we have a reception afterwards where your supporters can join you.

There are eight million people in the UK with lung conditions, including premature babies, children with asthma and adults with TB, lung cancer and COPD. The BLF is the only national charity dedicated to working for all the people who suffer from these different lung conditions.

We fund research and provide information and support people through our Breathe Easy network of 116 groups around the UK.

Last year 78 runners pounded the pavements during the marathon for the BLF and raised a staggering £110,000. In 2003, we aim to have more than 100 flying the flag on April 13.

These special 100 people will be helping those who are not able to run because of breathlessness and helping to raise more than £150,000 to fund our vital work.

Anyone who has already been successful in the ballot and would like more information about running in Team BLF should contact 020 7831 5831 (extension 202), or e-mail us.

SAMANTHA GOSLING

Special Events Manager,

British Lung Foundation,

78 Hatton Garden,

London EC1N 8LD.