AR-News: National Primate Research Centers

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: PETA 
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 11:48 PM
Subject: Action Alert E-News, June 24, 2004
Congressional Oversight Hearings Into National Primate Research Centers Desperately Needed!

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The National Primate Research Center System is composed of eight federally funded national primate research centers that currently house approximately 25,000 nonhuman primates. 

Despite an enormous taxpayer-subsidized budget (about $1 billion in 2002-03 alone), these facilities continue to subject untold numbers of highly intelligent, social, and complex animals to cruelty, suffering, and neglect (lack of the socialization and enrichment that are mandated by the Animal Welfare Act and inadequate veterinary care are just two of the documented problems). 

In addition, the eight centers have amassed a body count that, if representing a toll in human lives, would result in criminal prosecutions. In 2002-03, one of these centers had an outrageous primate infant mortality rate of 55 percent, and there were a staggering 394 infant and juvenile macaque monkey deaths at the Oregon Primate Research Center during the same period. An April 21, 2004, article in The New York Times dealt with the experimentation community’s perception that there is a shortage of macaque monkeys available for use, yet government-run facilities produce these unconscionably high mortality rates, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is going abroad to supplement U.S. macaque populations. 

Something must be done to hold these centers and NIH accountable for the primates they breed and use. Please write to the following members of Congress to ask that they hold hearings on this important matter:

The Honorable Michael Bilirakis, Chair 
Subcommittee on Health 
House Committee on Energy and Commerce 
2269 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4085 (fax)

The Honorable Jon Kyl, Chair 
Subcommittee on Health Care 
Senate Committee on Finance
730 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-2207 (fax)




the wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. he is in front of it - axel munthe

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."      Margaret Mead
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