Testing on non-human primates is no longer justifiable

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Testing on non-human primates in neuroscience research is no longer justifiable
Scientists, primatologists and animal welfare experts are supporting Cruelty Free International in raising concerns about the controversial use of non-human primates in neuroscience research. Given the significant level of suffering caused to the animals and the availability of human based approaches, the group has signed an open letter of concern to those bodies in the UK and EU responsible for the funding and licencing of this type of research.

We, the undersigned, are concerned at the level of suffering involved in many neuroscience experiments on non-human primates, especially where fluid deprivation and movement restraint is involved, and believe that there has now been sufficient progress in human-based alternatives to call into serious question whether further research of this type is necessary.

We note the recent research in this area published in ATLA [Bailey J & Taylor K.] (2016). Non-human Primates in Neuroscience Research: The Case Against its Scientific Necessity. ATLA 44, 43-69]. We therefore call on bodies responsible for the funding and licencing of this type of research to review their policies and specifically to end support for experiments involving deprivation of fluids and movement restraint.

Signatories:
Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and naturalist
plus many more
see also Sir David Attenborough calls for end to brain experiments on monkeys | Cruelty Free International
Scientists, primatologists and animal welfare experts have today joined us to raise concerns about the controversial use of monkeys in brain experiments.

The group of 21 experts has signed an open letter of concern to bodies in the UK and EU responsible for funding and licensing this type of research.
 
and the reply ...
David Attenborough accused of being seduced by 'pseudoscience' over 'cruel' brain experiments on primates
The UK Expert Group for Non-Human Primate (NHP) Neuroscience Research criticised the open letter for citing "Non-human primates in neuroscience research: The case against its scientific necessity" - a March 2016 paper written by CFI scientists that appeared in Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments.

The UK Expert Group said: “We are disappointed to see that David Attenborough and a number of scientists have been misled by the pseudoscience in the paper by CFI, an organisation intent on ending research with all animals, not just primates.