Sir Mark Rylance has published to the vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol contacting for him to ban the “cruel and useless” pressured swim experiments on rats.
The Oscar-profitable actor, 62, claimed he is including his name to the “tens of thousands” of folks supporting a marketing campaign by the People for the Ethical Therapy of Animals (Peta).
In a letter to vice-chancellor Hugh Brady, Sir Mark explained: “As you are no doubt conscious, this test forces rats to working experience the panic of drowning.
I’m urging you to hear to the science and end these tests right away
Sir Mark Rylance
“Researchers place the modest animals into inescapable beakers of water, in which they have no choice but to paddle frantically as they look for for an escape.
“The experts at Peta convey to me that these experiments are applied in makes an attempt to examine human disorders these types of as depression but that the test is not necessary or valuable for producing new antidepressant remedies for people.
“This leaves one query, why are these experiments continuing at the University of Bristol?
“I’m urging you to listen to the science and close these tests instantly.”
Sir Mark, who has just completed carrying out in Dr Semmelweis at the Bristol Previous Vic, has joined a lot more than than 33,000 men and women urging the college to stick to in the footsteps of King’s Higher education London.
A statement from the University of Bristol claimed: “As a study college, we are committed to a tradition of treatment where animals are treated with compassion and regard.
“We are in common discussion with the Countrywide Centre for the Alternative, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Exploration (NC3Rs) and the House Workplace, as properly scientific societies and tutorial colleagues, so we can keep up to day with the newest considering on all elements of investigate making use of animals.
“We have moral assessment processes in position which glimpse at each exploration task independently to provide constructive feed-back and to ensure that the most refined and proper methods are being applied.
“We accept that some persons have fears about the use of animals in investigate, but we also recognise that research involving animals is crucial for improvements in professional medical, veterinary and scientific information to boost our knowing of well being and sickness and the lives of both equally animals and individuals.”