Letter: In Brief

Sir: Dr Hillman asserts that there is no substitute for a living organism in the production of mono-clonal antibodies (letter, 18 December). In the UK, the mouse was the animal almost invariably used for this purpose. However, in a November 1997 statement, the government announced that the use of mice to produce mono-clonal antibodies would no longer be allowed unless exceptional justification could be provided. In vitro methods of production are to be used instead.

CHRISTINE ORR

British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection

London N7