Scientists Criticize UC Davis Primate Experiments as ´Unethical´

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I have no words. http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/64635 Scientists Criticize UC Davis Primate Experiments as ´Unethical´ June 10, 2008 Watchdog group demands UC Regents meeting, inspection tour. Davis , CA - A panel of scientists – including two former University of California veterinarians and research insiders – issued statements this week criticizing experimental procedures commonly used in research laboratories at UCLA, UC Davis and UCSF, according to a national research watchdog organization.Veterinary and scientific experts labeled University of California

procedures as "unethical,""distressful" and causing "pain and suffering." The procedures routinely deprive rhesus monkeys of water, confine them to restraint chairs and literally bolt devices to their skulls.The critiques (available upon request) were released by Ohio-based SAEN, which serves as a non-profit watchdog over animal experiments. SAEN has demanded meetings with UC Board Of Regents to discuss the elimination of these procedures, and requested laboratory inspection tours and the initiation of a sanctuary retirement program for primates from UC laboratories."Experiments that utilize these procedures are unethical. Severe restraint or confinement…involving restraint chairs, is one of the most stressful things that can be done to a primate. (The) situation is exacerbated when the motion of a primate is further limited by the use of surgically implanted restraining bars," said Dr. Bruce Max Feldmann, UC Berkeley Lab Veterinarian for 10

years And, Dr. Nedim C. Buyukmihci, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California , Davis , called the restraint procedures "highly stressful," adding, "To make matters even worse for them, restraining devices may be surgically implanted so that the animal's head will not move at all.""Withholding water for up to 22 hours per day for five days a week in order that the monkeys are motivated to work for fluid reward is unconscionable," said Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Director of the Tufts University Animal Behavior Clinic."Scientific experts have roundly criticized

these horrific procedures," said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. "It´s time for the Board of Regents to act." http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join http://www.myspace.com/fortheanimals7