ANITA Knittel (Evening News, January 8) has allowed herself be sucked in by the twisted emotional propaganda of animal extremist groups and has therefore let down her patients.

Like her, I am also a nurse, and witness the benefits of animal research everyday.

I'd rather thank the medical research community than attack them.

It appears would like to have all animal research abolished at the expense of seriously ill patients.

We'd like to challenge her and anyone else with muddled priorities to practise what they preach by asking them to sign our Animal Research Abolition Card.

I would suggest many of your readers might not be so eager to jump on this idealistic bandwagon.

Individuals should enclose a stamped addressed envelope and agree to honour three principles which reflect their beliefs namely:

- In the event of an accident or emergency, they will refuse all medical treatment developed and tested on animals, including, but not limited to: blood transfusions, anaesthetics, anticoagulants, antibiotics, sutures, open heart surgery and other types of surgery.

- If their child suffers from a genetic illness, or other serious condition, they will not allow them to have life-saving treatment developed through animal research.

- None of their pets shall receive any veterinary vaccine or medicine that has been developed or tested on animals.

Seriously Ill for Medical Research (SIMR) is a patients' group that supports the humane use of animals and genetic technology where necessary in medical research.

Our members suffer from illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and many, many more. We're willing to stand up and support research aimed at improving our health. For a free information pack please write to SIMR, PO Box 504, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LU. www.simr.org.uk; e-mail; info@simr.org.uk

THOMAS BROMLEY,

Littlehampton,

West Sussex, BN17 7SW