Guest guest Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Letters to the Editor may be sent to <editorialeditorial Nepali primates used for US research Samples taken for AIDS vaccine, keeping govt in dark Razen Manandhar Himalayan Times, Kathmandu September 14 The controversial testing of monkeys three years ago by US primatologists in the capital was not what it was made out to be. In actuality~ the monkeys were used as guinea pigs for developing AIDS vaccine, reveals the cover story of a recent issue of the American Journal of Primatology. More than 20 red monkeys, known as rhesus macaques, were darted and trapped to have their blood, stool, swap and hair tested in June 2003 at Swoyaiubhu temple on the pretext that the monkeys had fallen ill mysteriously. A team of American experts came here without the knowledge of the government and returned with the samples, without providing any treatment to the mammals. Article 15.1 of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 (Fourth amendment 2049) states that nobody can collect samples from any animal for scientific research. How ever, permission for the same can be sought from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) after paying Rs 2,000 for each red monkey and justifying the need for the test. But, according to the government officials, the researchers did not even notify the authority about their testing. The synopsis of the report carried by American Journal of Primatology in June, states: " Scientists investigating the genetic make up of rhesus macaque monkeys, a key species used in biomedical research, have found that rhesus in Nepal may provide a suitable alternative to alleviate a critical shortage of laboratory animals used in work to develop vaccines against diseases such as HIV/AIDS. " According to the report, the study was spearheaded by Randall Kyes, a primatologist ogist and head of the of the University of Washington's Division of International Programmes at the Washingtori National Primate Research Centre, in collaboration with Mukesh Chalise, president of the Nepali Biodiversity Research Society and a zoologist at Tribhuvan University. When contacted, Chalise said, I don't have to answer any queries. The chapter is closed. You may charge me of anything but I believe that I have done a good job for mankind by letting carry out the tests, " he said. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has also refused to take responsibility of " unauthorised testing " . Shyam Bajimaya, the Chief Ecologist at the DNPWC, said the matter did not concern the department, as no one contacted the officials for carrying out the tests. " Even for a noble cause, it would have been better had the researchers chosen a legitimate way, " he said. Though the American journal report acknowledges Bajimaya as one of the co author of the research paper, he wonders, " I don't know how my name figures in the report. " Similar tests used to be carried out on Indian monkeys earlier. However, India banned export of all macaques in 1978. IPPL NOTE: Addresses for comments Please send letters requesting that Nepal protect its rhesus monkeys from capture, captive living, and exportation, in keeping with the nation’s religious traditions, to the addresses below. The cost of an air mail letter to Nepal from the United States is 84 cents, and from the United Kingdom it is 72 p. His Excellency the Ambassador of Nepal Embassy of Nepal 2131 Leroy Place, NW Washington, DC 20008, USA Fax: 202 667 5534 E-mail: info Mr. Gopal Rai, State Minister Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Singh Darbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: +977-1-4223868 E-mail: mfsc Mr. Sarad Rai, Director General Department of Forests Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: +977-1-4227374 E-mail: dof Mr. Narayan Paudel, Director General Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: +977-1-4227675 E-mail:dnpwc UK readers may contact: Embassy of Nepal 12A Kensington Palace Gardens London W8 4QU, UK E-mail: info Dr. Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman International Primate Protection League PO Box 766 Summerville, SC 29484, USA Phone - 843-871-2280, Fax- 843-871-7988 E-mail - smcgreal, Web: www.ippl.org " So long as life lasts, dashed hopes stand a chance. We need only get over that current feeling that says, 'Where there is life there must be hopelessness.' We must ever answer the question 'But what can I do?' with the realization that restoring the Earth, making things better, renews and heals us at the same time. " David Brower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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