Professor Colin Blakemore (right), a neuroscientist at the University of Oxford who was formerly chief executive of the Medical Research Council (MRC), has been denied a knighthood "because of his outspoken support for animal research."
This is not the first time Blakemore has been overlooked in the annual honours list, and the fact that the honours system is corrupt and outdated will probably be little consolation to him.
Unlike those who have bought the title "Sir", Blakemore deserves a peerage, as he is one of the few scientists who have publicly supported animal research, even though animal rights extremists have targeted him and his family.
Opposition to animal experiments stems at least partly from the public's ignorance of the importance and aims of such research, and the decision by a spineless honours committee not to give Blakemore a peerage because it might prove controversial does not help matters.
Education & Careers
Comments (4)
That's pretty bizarre. An honor historically conferred onto those who were the best killers of humans is now decided by a panel too squeamish to acknowledge science needs kill animals.
How do they think we learn about physiology and medicine? From dissecting potatoes?
Posted by: MarkH | December 28, 2007 2:44 PM