Animal testing on non-human primates

Two primates in a laboratory cage

Experiments involving non-human primates (NHPs) include toxicity testing for medical and non-medical substances; studies of infectious disease, such as HIV and hepatitis; neurological studies; behavior and cognition; reproduction; genetics; and xenotransplantation. Around 65,000 NHPs are used every year in the United States, and around 7,000 across the European Union.[1][2] Most are purpose-bred, while some are caught in the wild.[3]

Their use is controversial. According to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, NHPs are used because their brains share structural and functional features with human brains, but "while this similarity has scientific advantages, it poses some difficult ethical problems, because of an increased likelihood that primates experience pain and suffering in ways that are similar to humans."[4] Some of the most publicized attacks on animal research facilities by animal rights groups have occurred because of primate research. Some primate researchers have abandoned their studies because of threats or attacks.

In December 2006, an inquiry chaired by Sir David Weatherall, emeritus professor of medicine at Oxford University, concluded that there is a "strong scientific and moral case" for using primates in some research.[5] The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection argues that the Weatherall report failed to address "the welfare needs and moral case for subjecting these sensitive, intelligent creatures to a lifetime of suffering in UK labs".[5]

  1. ^ "EU Seventh Report on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union". europa.eu. EU. p. 4. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  2. ^ "US 2012 Statistics" Archived 2014-08-06 at the Wayback Machine, Speaking of Research
  3. ^ "Animals used in research" Archived 2006-12-10 at the Wayback Machine , U.S. Department of Agriculture, p. 10
  4. ^ The ethics of research involving animals. Nuffield Council on Bioethics. 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  5. ^ a b Morelle, Rebecca. "UK experts back primate research" Archived 2007-01-10 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, December 12, 2006.