Scientists in California have endured a wave of attacks from animal rights activists of late.

Next month, they will be demonstrating in defence of their research and are inviting others to give their support. The rally will mirror those held by Pro-Test, an organisation that arose in Oxford after activists targeted the university.

The event will take place at the Los Angeles campus of the University of California on April 22 and coincides with a demonstration being held by anti-vivisection groups.

The Pro-Test group in Oxford has given a welcome voice to a silent majority who accept that if society wants to make progress in developing treatments for some devastating medical conditions, a certain amount of research involving animals is necessary.