Sir

The reaction of C. R. McMahon and colleagues (Nature 439, 392; 200610.1038/439392c) to your News story “Animal-rights group sues over ‘disturbing’ work on sea lions” (Nature 436, 315; 200510.1038/436315a) — pointing out that much animal handling, such as seal branding, is a necessary prerequisite to effective conservation — is exceptional, because it represents a rare instance of a voiced scientific opinion on a sensitive topic.

Scientists themselves are often ‘branded’ by the media, but are ill-equipped to defend themselves, having neither the time nor the schooling in this area. Alternatively, they may fear intimidation or be obliged not to enter the fray by governing bodies.

Of the various groups involved in animal-rights issues, those taking an accusatory stance would do well to consider that silence is not always an admission of guilt.