The NIH-funded centers, hosted by universities and research institutions, conduct primate research and have been a primary target of animal rights organizations, like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). PETA’s Senior Science Advisor Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel stated : ‘PETA has worked for this for years, through two undercover investigations of the primate center, whistleblower reports, and, in the last 12 months, providing supportive scientific and community testimony, and we thank the NIH for refusing to remain mired in the failed status-quo.’
POLITICO: The National Institutes of Health wants to transition at least one of seven national primate research centers into an animal sanctuary, aiming to move away from animal testing in favor of alternative methods.
The NIH-funded centers, hosted by universities and research institutions, conduct primate research on conditions and diseases that affect human health. They have been a primary target of animal rights organizations, like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The NIH approached the Oregon Health & Science University, which operates one of the centers, about the move, offering to potentially help finance the transition. The university’s board of directors will hold a public meeting … to consider negotiationing with NIH about the potential change.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya confirmed the plans to POLITICO in an interview last week. “We’re working to transition at least one of them,” he said of the seven centers. It’s not clear whether the agency will pursue similar moves at the other six centers or why it selected the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Nor is it clear how the sanctuary would operate or what such a transition would cost, though a recent OHSU analysis estimated it would cost $241 million over eight years to close the center. SOURCE
Statement from PETA’s Senior Science Advisor Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel regarding a proposed resolution:
‘It’s a new year and a new beginning for Oregon Health & Science University that would mean no longer breeding monkeys, phasing out experiments on them, and converting the primate center into a sanctuary—all moves that would put the university at the forefront of cutting-edge research by casting off what has failed and embracing state-of-the-art science. PETA has worked for this for years, through two undercover investigations of the primate center, whistleblower reports, and, in the last 12 months, providing supportive scientific and community testimony, and we thank the board of directors, university leadership, and NIH for refusing to remain mired in the failed status quo.’ SOURCE
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