'Experiments on monkeys are vital to medicine', say experts

December 13, 2006

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=422092 & in_page_id=1770

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By JULIE WHELDON Last updated at 00:19am on 13th December 2006 Monkeys must continue to be used in experiments to help in the fight against Aids, malaria and neurological diseases, experts said. A lack of alternatives means primates are needed to ensure treatments are safe and effective before being tested on humans, according to a report. The study, commissioned by the Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust, concluded there was a "strong scientific case" for using monkeys. However, experts also said that animal welfare standards must be improved. Chaired by Sir David Weatherall, former professor of medicine at Oxford University, the report recommends the creation of four specialist "superlabs". But animal welfare campaigners last night called the study "disgraceful". Dr Gill Langley, of the Dr Hadwen Trust, for non-animal medical research, said: "If this sort of shortsighted, uninspired and misguided thinking is the limit of our aspirations, both for sound medical progress and for the humane treatment of our closest cousins, then it is a sad indictment of us all." Michelle Thew, chief executive of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, said: "They say the end justifies the means when it comes to research on non-human primates, but they haven't actually proved that." Sir David said 3,300 primates are used in the UK each year, mainly macaques imported from Africa and Asia. He insisted there was "a moral and scientific case" for experiments as monkeys are the only means of testing the effectiveness of vaccines for diseases such as HIV and malaria. Their similarity to humans means they are important in research into treatments for immune system diseases. Sir David said monkeys were also vital in the search for a cure for neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. He said that without animal research, "there would be certain areas in vaccinology and neuroscience, which I think would suffer very greatly". The scientific community last night welcomed the report. Professor Chris Higgins, of the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, said: "If it comes to a choice between regulated studies on a few animals and treatment for an incurable disease affecting hundreds of thousands of people, or the well-being of a son, daughter or close relative, most people reluctantly make the same choice." Jo Tanner, of the Coalition for Medical Progress, said: "If we are to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease or vaccines against malaria or HIV we will need to carry out research using a small number of primates."

December 21, 2006

My own thought is that this is just an excuse to manipulate and control all things. Leave the monkeys alone. They wouldn't examine my cousin Chuck in order to find out about me would they? Its probably a way to receive grant money.

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Misty

Caro ; Health and Healing ; Armageddon or New Age

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 6:15 AM

'Experiments on monkeys are vital to medicine', say experts

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=422092 & in_page_id=1770

photo on url

By JULIE WHELDON Last updated at 00:19am on 13th December 2006 Monkeys must continue to be used in experiments to help in the fight against Aids, malaria and neurological diseases, experts said. A lack of alternatives means primates are needed to ensure treatments are safe and effective before being tested on humans, according to a report. The study, commissioned by the Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust, concluded there was a "strong scientific case" for using monkeys. However, experts also said that animal welfare standards must be improved. Chaired by Sir David Weatherall, former professor of medicine at Oxford University, the report recommends the creation of four specialist "superlabs". But animal welfare campaigners last night called the study "disgraceful". Dr Gill Langley, of the Dr Hadwen Trust, for non-animal medical research, said: "If this sort of shortsighted, uninspired and misguided thinking is the limit of our aspirations, both for sound medical progress and for the humane treatment of our closest cousins, then it is a sad indictment of us all." Michelle Thew, chief executive of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, said: "They say the end justifies the means when it comes to research on non-human primates, but they haven't actually proved that." Sir David said 3,300 primates are used in the UK each year, mainly macaques imported from Africa and Asia. He insisted there was "a moral and scientific case" for experiments as monkeys are the only means of testing the effectiveness of vaccines for diseases such as HIV and malaria. Their similarity to humans means they are important in research into treatments for immune system diseases. Sir David said monkeys were also vital in the search for a cure for neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. He said that without animal research, "there would be certain areas in vaccinology and neuroscience, which I think would suffer very greatly". The scientific community last night welcomed the report. Professor Chris Higgins, of the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, said: "If it comes to a choice between regulated studies on a few animals and treatment for an incurable disease affecting hundreds of thousands of people, or the well-being of a son, daughter or close relative, most people reluctantly make the same choice." Jo Tanner, of the Coalition for Medical Progress, said: "If we are to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease or vaccines against malaria or HIV we will need to carry out research using a small number of primates."