Report ‘underestimates serious impact of research on primates’

In response to the publication of the report Review of the assessment of cumulative severity and lifetime experience in non-human primates used in neuroscience research by the UK Animal Procedures Committee, the RSPCA’s chief scientific officer, Maggy Jennings, said: “It is extremely concerning that this report systematically underestimates the serious impact of neuroscience research on primates and the level of suffering involved.

“How anyone can think that confinement in cages, being subjected to repeated scientific procedures including surgery, the implantation of eye coils or head implants and electrodes, food and water deprivation, long periods of restraint, and the catalogue of other adverse effects listed causes anything other than severe suffering is completely beyond us.

“To most people, this report vividly illustrates the significant impact that neuroscience research can have on primates. It is exceptionally naïve to expect that the public will be in any way reassured and only serves to reinforce our view that more must be done to replace primates with humane alternatives.

“We will be reviewing the report and its recommendations in very close detail to ensure that where constructive recommendations have been made which could reduce primate suffering, that they are immediately implemented.”

To read more on the RSPCA views regarding the use of primates in research, see: www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/laboratory/primates