I refer to the article about experiments being conducted on octopuses (Octopuses on MDMA act like humans on the drug, The Press, September 20).

These experiments are indefensible, curiosity-driven nonsense that only benefit the experimenters who make a living from them – and from ignoring what we already know about octopuses.

Octopuses are capable of complex thought processes, can use tools, and are particularly sensitive to pain, having nerve receptors distributed throughout their bodies. These clever cephalopods also have well-developed cognitive abilities, amazing memories, and the capacity to solve puzzles and live in multifaceted environments – a far cry from the bright lights of a laboratory tank.

To drug these highly intelligent animals and then make sweeping statements about developing medical treatments for human-based disorders by testing on species that are so far removed along the evolutionary line from humans is absurd – especially as octopuses don’t suffer from autism.

Finding distant ancestral links to other animals does not excuse drugging them. Animals are not earlier forms of humans, and experiments on animals for autism and other conditions have been a dismal failure.

The best way to understand and treat human disorders is to study humans, but that would be inconvenient and could require more training than these experimenters have.

Octopuses should be left in peace and permitted to live in their natural environment, not imprisoned and used in cruel experiments.

Dr Julia Baines,

Science Policy Adviser,

PETA UK,

All Saints Street,

London

Chance to get early Christmas jewellery

Christmas is fast approaching. But we can think about little gifts.

There will be a sale of costume jewellery at New Earswick Chapel on October 27, from 11am to 2pm. Lovely jewellery which will make lovely gifts, with prices ranging from £2 upwards, funds for the chapel.

S Keane,

Wood Way,

Huntington, York