This poll, conducted by Nature of biomedical scientists readers, discusses the willingness and ability of researchers to discuss their work in public.

The survey results found that the majority of scientists feel that they do not have sufficient support from their employers to speak openly about the subject matter. Also, an estimated 70% of scientists feel that the animal rights movement has made the “voicing of a nuanced view” of animal research in the public more difficult for animal researchers. Some also feel that this has made it difficult for them to debate within the science community how to best conduct animal research.