In the news
11 Mar 2010
7 November 2008
EU primate research hearing condemned for 'astonishing bias'.
Animal advocates and ethical research experts have condemned today’s EU science committee hearing on primate research1, for blatant pro-animal research bias. Its draft Opinion released today ignores clear scientific evidence of the limitations of primate research and downplays the potential of advanced alternative techniques. Leading non-animal medical research charity, the Dr Hadwen Trust, says it may be an ‘uncomfortable truth’ for scientists, but some adult primates have mental abilities greater than human infants2 so an EU-wide strategy to replace them with alternative techniques is a matter of moral as well as scientific urgency.
An Opinion by the Scientific Committee on Health & Environmental Risks (SCHER) was requested by the EU Commission as part of the long delayed revision of Directive 86/609/EEC, Europe’s ‘animal experiments law’; a proposal to revise the law was published yesterday3. The Commission has been under intense pressure to examine the ethical and scientific case for an EU phase-out of primate research and testing. In September 2007 the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in support of a Written Declaration demanding an end to research on great apes and wild-caught primates and an EU phase-out of all primates with ethical alternative research techniques4.
Nicky Gordon, Science Officer at the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, says SCHER has failed to produce a scientifically balanced or accurate draft Opinion on primate research and alternatives. The Dr Hadwen Trust and others attending today’s hearing will call for a more balanced final Opinion.
“This public consultation could and should have resulted in a turning point in bioethics, mapping out what needs to be done to achieve primate-free laboratories.” says Ms Gordon, “Instead it has produced what reads like a counsel of doom, sacrificing ethical and scientific vision on the altar of maintaining the status quo. Its blind acceptance of the validity of primate research in areas such as neurology, stroke and AIDS, despite clear evidence to the contrary, betrays an astonishing bias and it seriously underplays the immense potential of more relevant non-animal techniques.
Almost 10,500 primates are subjected to experiments in Europe every year, despite many of them having cognitive abilities more advanced than human babies. That may be an uncomfortable truth for some scientists, but with their potential to suffer and such a poor record of medical success, a high-priority strategy to replace primates is a matter of moral and scientific urgency. Advanced techniques like human brain imaging, computer modelling and human cell culture are already replacing primates with studies more relevant to human patients. With further technology development, total replacement is achievable but SCHER seems to be ignoring that path to progress.”
The Dr Hadwen Trust will be making a formal complaint to the European Commission.
Primate research: failed treatments and new hope
- AIDS: Over 25 years, at least 37 animal-tested HIV vaccines have failed in human trials, none have succeeded. Rhesus macaque monkeys are the favoured ‘model’ but these could be replaced with a combined approach – population studies, human blood and cells in the test tube including the newly launched ‘human immune system in a test tube’, molecular biology and computer modelling.
- STROKE: Ninety-five stroke drugs have passed animal tests but failed in human clinical trials. For years primates have been used but failed to yield safe, effective new drugs for people. Population studies, brain imaging, post-mortem brain analysis and in vitro multi-cell cultures could provide more useful data relevant to human stroke.
- MALARIA: Up to 2 million people die from malaria each year. Vaccines developed and tested in primates have failed in humans. In vitro human liver cell cultures could soon replace primates in identifying vaccine candidates and screening anti-malarial drugs.
- BRAIN FUNCTION: Research into human psychological processes such as memory and depression can involve surgically implanting electrodes in, or removing parts of, the brains of primates. Advances in non-invasive imaging now provide a range of cutting edge imaging techniques, including the creation of temporary ‘virtual’ lesions in the human brain. With these more relevant techniques available, the use of primates is scientifically outdated as well as being ethically inappropriate.
- HEPATITIS C: Despite decades of animal research there is still no definitive cure or vaccine. Mathematical modelling has already benefited hepatitis C patients by elucidating the virus’s dynamics and improving drug treatment. Human cell cultures for research and drug screening for this illness have also made enormous strides.
ENDS
For interviews or further information contact Wendy Higgins, Communications Director on mobile 07989 972 423 or email wendy@drhadwentrust.org
Notes
1 Scientific Committee on Health & Environmental Risks (SCHER) http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/ev_20081106_en.htm?e public hearing 6 November 10am – 4pm, The International Auditorium, International Trade Union House, Boulevard du Roi Albert II, No. 5 / 2, B-1210 Bruxelles.
2 Comparison of human infants and rhesus monkeys on Piaget’s AB task: evidence for dependence on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Experimental Brain Research 74 (1989)
3 Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
4 Written Declaration 40/2007 “Urges the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to use the revision process of Directive 86/609/EC as an opportunity to: i. Make ending the use of apes and wild caught monkeys in scientific experiments an urgent priority; ii. Establish a timetable for replacing the use of all primates in scientific experiments with alternatives.”
5 In the EU, 10,451 primates were used in 2005; the vast majority (7,000) were used for toxicology studies, 1,450 are used for basic medical research including brain research and 1,400 are used for pharmaceutical R&D. In the USA, 62,315 primates were used in 2006. In Japan, an estimated 2,802 primates were used in 2004. In Great Britain, 3,125 primates were used in 2007.
