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The government must take the lead over the use of animals in vital medical research rather than allowing the agenda to be stolen by animal-rights activists, Michael Dexter, director of the Wellcome Trust, told this week's meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.

"For us to exploit the ground-breaking and exciting knowledge coming out of the Human Genome Project, we have to use living organisms - be they worms or rodents - to ascertain the role of genes in the development of healthy or diseased bodies," he said.

"Government cannot pretend that the need for such experiments will decline. It must ensure that properly regulated research can be carried out without a climate of fear and intimidation."

Dr Dexter added: "There is a compelling case to use animals in biomedical research."

He also told the meeting that UK science faced a future workforce catastrophe.

"I think many of you here have become aware of the decreasing salary levels of our academics compared with other professions," Dr Dexter said. "The danger signs are there. If we do not do something soon it will be a catastrophe for science in the UK."

He said scientists could not be expected to remain on short-term contracts until they were 40 on the salaries they were being paid. "Something has to be done," he said.

With an audience including science minister Lord Sainsbury, Dr Dexter also reminded the meeting of the forthcoming decision on the Wellcome Trust's plans to expand its genome park on the outskirts of Cambridge. "If the decision goes against us, I do not think it will be good for UK biomedical research in the future," he said.

John Bleby, representing the Research Defence Society, elaborated on difficulties for animal researchers. He said the Institute of Animal Technicians, representing those responsible for the welfare of animals in laboratories, was now forced to hold its annual congress overseas because only one or two British universities would play host because of safety fears.

"This year the conference was held in Cyprus because no British university would take us," Professor Bleby explained.

Rod Flower, of the British Pharmacological Society, added: "Our members are extremely worried about the amount of legislation regarding animal experimentation. It is tying them in knots. It means multinational companies will take their work out of the country."