Smash hit

Experiments on great apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, are banned in Britain. But many believe monkeys are sufficiently sentient to be capable of great suffering at the hands of scientists.

The working group, chaired by the Oxford geneticist Professor Sir David Weatherall, was set up by the Royal Society Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and the Academy of Medical Sciences to investigate the ethics of primate research.

Since the inquiry began in March last year, the committee has had 10 meetings and heard evidence from 35 witnesses, including representatives of academic organisations, animal welfare groups, the Government and industry, as well as patients.

Today’s report highlights the continuing need for monkeys in the laboratory to address questions related to the immune, nervous and reproductive systems that cannot be answered using rodents and other animals which are too unlike humans.

Monkey research provided the only way of ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines for HIV and other infections, and treatments for brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, according to the report.

The experts wrote: "There is a strong scientific case for maintaining work on non-human primates for carefully selected research problems in many of the areas studied, at least for the foreseeable future."

Sir David pointed out that there was funding available for only about 10 major HIV, tuberculosis and malaria vaccine trials in the next 10 years. These trials could take five years and involve 10,000 volunteers.

"Pre-testing in a small number of non-human primates can ensure we only proceed into human trials with vaccines that are likely to prevent millions of people dying of these diseases," Sir David added.

The report looked at new research approaches that do not involve primates, particularly in the areas of brain imaging and computer modelling.

Against this background there was a need for rigorous case-by-case assessment of research proposals involving monkeys, said the report.

Professor Tipu Aziz, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Radcliffe Infirmary, uses non-human primates on his research to help treat Parkinson’s disease.

He welcomed the report saying: "It is one of the most comprehensive reviews of the use of primates in research I have ever seen or read. It is clear that the use of non-human primates must continue within strict ethical and animal welfare guidelines to secure alleviation, prevention or cures for many diseases that affect mankind."

Jo Tanner, Chief Executive of the Coalition for Medical Progress, said that the carefully regulated use of non-human primates in medical research had led to the development of treatments such as kidney dialysis, asthma medicines, intensive care for premature babies, IVF treatments and Herceptin.

She added: "And if we are to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease or vaccines against Malaria and HIV, we will need to carry out research using a small number of primates."

Professor Chris Higgins, Director of the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, said: "Although nobody likes the idea of any research using non-human primates, if it comes to an choice between regulated studies on a few animals and a treatment for an incurable disease affecting hundreds of thousands of people, or the well-being of a son, daughter or close relative, most people reluctantly make the same choice.’’

Dr Vicky Robinson, chief executive of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), was pleased the report endorsed the work being done to reduce primate use.

But she concluded: "The report did not go far enough in trying to map out the priorities for development and adoption of new alternatives. Nor did it identify what gaps in our current understanding need to be broached in order to move forward in the areas that are less promising at the moment.

"The committee has therefore missed an opportunity to give some much-needed direction in this critical aspect of the debate on using primates for research, which is central to helping society resolve the serious ethical dilemmas involved."

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Fern Britton: 'I still can't see that I was wrong'
• Extreme cooking
• Easy French: Tarte Tatin