Cambridge University primates
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Cambridge University primate experiments came to public attention in 2002 after the publication that year of material from a ten-month undercover investigation in 1998 by the
BUAV said the investigation revealed examples of animal abuse indicating that animals were inadequately protected by the
Nature of the research
As of October 2002,
Scientists using marmosets at Cambridge have published their work in peer reviewed journals. This includes discoveries relating to the role of the prefrontal cortex in behaviour,[8][9] understanding learning and memory,[10] modelling Parkinson's disease,[11] and the role of the amygdala in conditioned reinforcement.[12]
Allegations of cruelty
According to the British government's inspector of animals and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, in some experimental protocols, the monkeys were trained to perform certain
During training for these tasks prior to brain surgery, BUAV claims that researchers were given instructions such as:
- Chase monkey into test box
- Keep "miserable" or "angry" marmosets in test apparatus
- Bang on the shutter, bang on the window
- Punish bad habits such as grooming by making a loud bang every time he does something wrong
- Lower the shutter ... if necessary onto their fingers
- Use food restrictions to make the marmosets more amenable to "shaping"[13]
One effect of the brain damage was that the monkeys would engage in stereotypical rotating movements. BUAV reported that one test for Parkinson's disease involved shutting them in a small
BUAV also says their investigator discovered monkeys who had had the tops of their scalps sawn off to have strokes induced, and who were then left unattended for 15 hours overnight without veterinary attention, because Cambridge staff worked nine to five.[14] Three full-time animal care staff were employed to look after 400 animals, according to a British government review, with the research scientists themselves responsible for the welfare of animals undergoing experimental procedures.[7]: 24
A film produced by BUAV shows a monkey regaining muscle tone during surgery, an indication that the animal was insufficiently anaesthetised. The BUAV report suggested there was a delay of some minutes before more anaesthetic was given.[7]: 56
Response to the allegations
The British government's chief inspector of animals conducted a review and published a report in October 2002. It concluded the veterinary input at Cambridge was "exemplary"; the facility "seems adequately staffed"; and the animals afforded "appropriate standards of accommodation and care."[7]: 56 The caging system was "no longer state of the art" but complied with Home Office provisions; and the marmoset colony was "generally healthy."[7]: 6 The inspector noted four instances of non-compliance with the licence: in two experiments, the surgical procedure was at variance with the project licence; on one occasion, the water restriction schedule was at variance; on one occasion, the licence holder did not inform the department that the severity limit of an experiment had been exceeded; there were minor technical irregularities on reports of how the animals were used.[7]: 6
The reviewers consulted two experts in
Cambridge University welcomed the report as "confirmation that there was no evidence to support the allegations made by the BUAV."[4]
The BUAV was invited to give evidence to the inquiry, but declined. Nor did it make available the unedited video footage from its film. After publication of the report, the group said it was "utterly appalled and deeply angered by the Home Office's complete dismissal of overwhelming evidence of animal suffering" and that "the government's claim that it was correct to categorise as moderate suffering experiments where monkeys had the top of their skull sawn off and part of their brain sucked out is ludicrous in the extreme."[15]
Judicial review
As a result of the information obtained during their investigation and in light of the subsequent review, BUAV applied to the UK's
Mr Justice Burnton rejected four grounds for review directly related to the Cambridge case, but granted permission to seek judicial review on two wider grounds: whether death was an effect to be weighed in cost-benefit analysis and whether guidelines on restricting food and water should be a code of practice under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.
The 2007 review found in favour of the Home Office on three of the grounds. On the issue of suffering, the court found that the Home Secretary had unlawfully categorised the experiments as "moderate", rather than "substantial". The Home Office, given leave to appeal the decision, which it did successfully in April 2008 with the Home Office awarded costs.[17]
See also
- Non-human primate experiments
References
- British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. Archived from the originalon 7 June 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
- ^ Bird, Maryann (7 December 2003). "Animal Passions". Time magazine. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008.
- ^ British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. Archived from the originalon 7 June 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
- ^ a b c "Animal group's court review win". BBC News. 12 April 2005.
- ^ James Randerson (28 July 2007). "Government downplayed animal suffering in experiments". The Guardian.
- ^ "BUAV film showing brain-damaged marmosets, filmed inside Cambridge University". Archived from the original on 8 March 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Aspects of non-human primate research at Cambridge University" (PDF). Home Office. October 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2009.
- S2CID 4301013.
- S2CID 35978932.
- S2CID 223190.
- S2CID 41078502.
- PMID 11567067.
- ^ a b "Out of Mind". BUAV. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.
- ^ a b c Laville, Sandra (8 February 2005). "Lab monkeys 'scream with fear' in tests". The Guardian.
- ^ Thew, Michelle. "Response by the BUAV to a review by the Chief Inspector into aspects of non-human primate research at Cambridge University". Archived from the original on 4 July 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
- ^ "Judicial review investigating cruelty to monkeys at Cambridge University given yet another legal boost". British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. 18 July 2005. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
- OCLC 328800420.