Blair signs petition in support of vivisection

[Elad]

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=721192006

Testing time as Blair targets human rights
JAMES KIRKUP POLITICAL EDITOR

TONY Blair attempted to shift political attention away from his own future yesterday, with new government pledges on scientific research and human rights.

However, speculation continued to grow about the timing of his departure. With his time in office dwindling, Mr Blair is determined to make progress on his personal policy priorities.

Leading scientists yesterday praised his decision to sign a petition backing the right of scientists to conduct medical research using animals.

Downing Street said Mr Blair signed the petition to show the government would not be swayed by "extremist" animal rights activists who threaten investors in companies using animal testing.

-more at link-

It would appear that animal rights issues are getting a lot of headlines in Britain after a much-publicized grave-robbing incident and subsequent conviction (link), with one UK "security analyst" calling Britian the "Afghanistan of animal rights extremism."