Testing on apes 'might be needed'

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Licences are not currently given for tests on the great apes

Ministers should not rule out the possibility of allowing apes to be used

in experiments, the head of the UK's Medical Research Council has said

 

In 1997, the government said it would never approve ape research because

they were too similar to humans, but there is no law prohibiting the practice.

 

Professor Colin Blakemore said such research was " essential " if it was the

only way to cure a particular disease.

 

Animal welfare groups want a ban on all primate testing in Britain.

 

Professor Blakemore's comments came as campaigners for and against animal

testing staged two separate protests in the row over Oxford University's new

£20m animal research laboratory.

 

Supporters of animal testing were holding a rally in Oxford, while

anti-vivisection campaigners were demonstrating in Moreton-in-Marsh,

Gloucestershire.

 

Currently 2,800 non-human primates are used in medical research, but the

Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences are assessing whether

genetically modified rats and mice could be used instead.

 

In reality, most people do not know - and do not want to know - the

grim reality of what happens to non-human primates in laboratories

 

Jane Goodall animal researcher

 

 

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Animal lab groups protest

A group of leading scientists has defended the use of primates in a

booklet - Primates in Medical Research - which was published jointly by the MRC

and the Wellcome Trust.

 

Professor Blakemore told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was " not

surprising " that many people were against research, as they were constantly told

it was " unbelievably cruel " and " achieved nothing " .

 

He added: " What we have seen in the last few years, against a background

of ridiculous extremism, is more willingness to discuss openly when and where

some animal research is necessary.

 

" The public have listened. They don't like the idea. Who does? But they

have realised that it is essential. "

 

Final test

 

He said the final test for any drug or treatment had to be on humans, but

added that 60% of potential drugs were rejected at the animal testing stage.

 

These experiments are investigating diseases and conditions such as

Parkinson's, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, HIV and strokes.

 

However, the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (Buav) is

publishing a report, due out on Monday, which calls for a ban on testing on any

non-human primates.

 

The publication has been backed by the world famous primatologist Jane

Goodall, who described the testing as " unethical " .

 

[Primates] are the only appropriate model for research into such

conditions as cognition

 

Professor Colin Blakemore

Blakemore interview

 

She said: " In reality, most people do not know - and do not want to know -

the grim reality of what happens to non-human primates in laboratories.

 

" Not only are many experiments on them unethical, many are unnecessary;

and their results may be misleading because they were developed at a time when

scientists knew little about the effect of stress on the immune system. "

 

Professor Sandy Thomas, director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics,

said: " It is important to be aware that research involving the great apes, such

as gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans, is not prohibited directly by law.

 

" However, licences for this type of research are not granted as a matter

of current Home Office policy.

 

" The emergence of new diseases may mean that a reassessment of this policy

is required in the future. On the other hand, the continued development of

non-animal methods for research may mean that alternatives could be available, "

said Professor Thomas.

 

" It is important that the necessity, usefulness and relevance of specific

types of animal research are ascertained in each individual case. "

 

 

 

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SEE ALSO:

Animal lab groups hold protests

03 Jun 06 | Oxfordshire

'Clear threats' to new Oxford lab

18 May 06 | UK

PM criticised over animal testing

14 May 06 | UK

Debate to focus on animal testing

27 Apr 06 | Oxfordshire

 

 

 

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:

Medical Research Council

British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection

Nuffield Council on Bioethics

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