The Research Defence Society (RDS) in 1991 organized a conference, which was held on the premises of the Royal Society in London, and invited several of the good and the great in biomedical research to speak on the subject of animal experimentation. This conference is one of a number of attempts made over the last few years to explain to the informed and sometimes to the general public the role, value and problems of scientific research using animals. These ‘explanations’ have ranged from apologetic defences to proud boastings. The proceedings volume of the RDS conference should, perhaps, be described as an example of ‘quiet pride in real achievement’. There are five main papers on the role of animal experimentation in the future of medicine, in fundamental studies, in the discovery of drugs and in neuroscience and cancer research. Only two short papers (5 pages in total) are devoted directly to the ethical implications of using animals; there are, however, a number of ethical points made in the main papers and in particularly in the most interesting thirteen pages of recorded discussion. The volume has a useful index.