In the news
21 Nov 2008
23 November 2007
Government needs radical re-think on primate experiments
The UK government could declare an end to primate experiments – provided its scientific adviser proves impartial and objective
The following article by Dr Gill Langley appeared in the Guardian’s Comment Is Free pages.
[ No More Monkey Business ]
The British government must think far more radically about ending primate experiments, and now is the time to do it. Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King is developing a government strategy for the use of non-human primates in research which is expected at the end of the year, and the European Parliament recently adopted a written declaration calling for a total phase-out of primate experiments. The Dr Hadwen Trust believes that the time is right for Britain to commit to a targeted timetable for the total replacement of primate research with advanced, non-animal methods.
The preparation of David King’s primate strategy follows recommendations contained in the 2006 Weatherall report on primate experiments. The Weatherall report was heavily criticised by non-animal research experts for its lack of objectivity, excessive confidence in primate experiments and its virtual dismissal of current and future impacts of non-animal research techniques. It is of great concern that Sir David King’s primate strategy may be equally resistant to change and influenced by his very public support for primate research.
Back in June this year, David King said “... the use of primates in medical research and testing is invaluable, as an essential aspect of work which provides the best hope for breakthroughs in important areas such as neurodegenerative disorders and for aspects of immune and reproductive functions.” These are deeply troubling comments: they pre-empt the strategy team’s conclusions and are based on general assumptions rather than on independent, critical analysis of the value of primate research. King was recently criticised for supporting badger culls to combat bovine TB in the face of an independent scientific report which found that culls would be ineffective. King’s expressed views on the medical necessity of primate research seem just as ill-judged.
When I served for eight years as an expert adviser on the government’s Animal Procedures Committee, I sometimes witnessed first-hand how a misplaced confidence in animal experiments, such as shown by David King, can hamper genuine scientific scrutiny. It would be a serious betrayal if Britain’s strategy on primate research turned out to be yet another exercise in maintaining the status quo, just at the time when, in Europe, politicians are talking seriously about ending the primate research era for good.
The Dr Hadwen Trust is asking David King to commit to an early end to primate experiments with the implementation of a pro-active, targeted and properly funded strategy. Over 4,000 such experiments are conducted in Britain each year, making us the largest user of laboratory primates in Europe. These highly intelligent and sentient animals have a complex range of physiological and psychological needs and, even if supposed industry ‘best practice’ standards were universal, it is simply impossible to capture, breed, transport, keep them in laboratories and experiment on them, without causing suffering and distress. In 1997 Britain declared an end to experiments on great apes (gorillas, orang-utans, chimpanzees and bonobos) on ethical grounds, due to their moral standing. Ten years on, the government should accept the equally compelling moral arguments for protecting all non-human primates from experimentation.
Despite genetic similarities, there are significant differences between humans and other primates in anatomy, metabolism, physiology, biochemistry or pharmacology, which mean that results from other primates cannot be reliably extrapolated to humans with confidence. Indeed, results from such research have been misleading and could be outperformed by advanced human-based, non-animal research techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the human brain in volunteers; drug development and testing in humans with non-toxic microdoses; better studies of patients; computer modelling, and cell and molecular studies. There have been very few rigorous, evidence-based analyses of the validity of experiments on animals, including primates. Those that have been published however, have concluded that the outcome of animal experiments has often correlated poorly with in human patients.
It is widely accepted that replacement of animal experiments is the ultimate goal. Achieving this needs a way forward that is far more ambitious than a general defence of the status quo while relying on serendipity to develop non-animal research techniques. Whilst an immediate end to primate suffering is desirable to many, ourselves included, most people should be able to support a government-led strategy that specifically brings about a meaningful decline in primate experiments, and their replacement with valid alternatives. As fellow primates ourselves, we have a moral imperative to consider this a priority issue, with the added benefit that by doing so we can expect a better understanding of human disease and safer and more effective therapies.
Download a PDF of the Dr Hadwen Trust’s full submission to the Strategy Team here.
