Minimal animal testing

In your report, "Hypocrisy claim as tests on animals increase by 4.5%" (2 November), the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research is described as a "special laboratory". In fact, it is an office-based scientific organisation which funds high-quality research, raises awareness of best practice and provides access to up-to-date information with the goal of minimising animal use and improving the lives of animals in research and testing.

In spite of the increase in animal experiments in Scotland, looking for alternative non-animal methods and new ways of conducting experiments to reduce suffering should remain priorities, particularly when they can lead to better scientific outcomes.

LAURA PLAYLE, Park Crescent, London