Resolution in Support of Primate Research Centers Program
The American Society of
Primatologists promotes and encourages the discovery and exchange of
information regarding primates, including all aspects of their behavior,
genetics, physiology, reproduction, conservation, husbandry, and use in
biomedical research. The society
acknowledges the important contributions to human health which result from
studies of nonhuman primates. We
recognize the value and importance of nonhuman primates and the necessity of maintaining
the highest standards of animal care and welfare in their use. We support efforts to conserve wild
populations of nonhuman primates in order to protect a vital natural resource,
and we are dedicated to the proper care and treatment of nonhuman primates
maintained for educational and scientific research purposes.
The American Society of
Primatologists recognizes the Regional Primate Research Centers program of the
National Institutes of Health, as dedicated to the highest standards of animal
care. These programs have made substantial
contributions to knowledge regarding breeding and proper care of captive
animals. Other efforts are directed
towards the conservation of natural habitats and field studies in countries of
origin. Programs of international
cooperation have been developed to conserve and propagate species of nonhuman
primates. The primate centers have also
made significant contributions to biomedical research directed at the major
diseases of mankind. The conservative
use of animals under proper supervision has characterized these programs from
their inception.
Therefore,
we cannot find merit in the charge of the Mobilization for Animals group which
has been campaigning to reduce funding, curtail operation of and/or destroy this
scientific resource. The American
Society of Primatologists endorses the continued operation of the Primate
Centers program and urges full support of its research programs. To combat these attempts to erode and
eliminate this vital national resource, we encourage members of the scientific
community and scientific societies to communicate their support to their
representatives in Congress, to volunteer testimony before appropriate
committees, and to make their views known to local and national media representatives.