Sir

Your News Feature “The great primate debate” (Nature 417, 684–687; 2002) did not discuss the potential of in vitro and clinical studies to replace many primate experiments in drug development, neuroscience and AIDS research. Non-animal methods can — and should — be supported by all sides of the debate. While verbal support is often forthcoming, resources to develop such alternative methods are not. Despite its responsibility under European legislation, the British government's budget for alternatives is sub-divided into different areas, with the intention that developing replacements for animal experiments should receive about £56,000 (US$85,500) a year — barely enough to fund one research project.