Today's issue... Animal testing

The issue of animal testing is back in the political spotlight with the publication of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report The ethics of research involving animals .

The report draws few firm conclusions but does back efforts to find alternatives to animal testing. It accepts that there is no clear alternative to animal testing in the short term, and backs the use of the '3 R' approach - refinement, reduction and replacement of animals in research - for which the Government has recently given funding for a national centre. The working group also suggests that companies should be more open about their experiments and results to prevent duplication.

Those opposed to animal testing have seized on the conclusion that alternatives to animal testing should be pursued, but scientists have highlighted the recognition that animal testing has helped make important medical advances. politics.co.uk brings you all the key quotes and reactions.