MEPs call for end to primate experiments in the EU
The European Commission has responded to a written declaration from the European Parliament on the use of primates in experiments by emphasising the ethical review procedures that are in place for EU-funded research, and that have already led to the rejection of research involving primates. The declaration, signed by over 400 MEPs, urges the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to use the revision of the Directive on animals used for scientific and other experimental purposes as an opportunity to: - make ending the use of apes and wild-caught monkeys in scientific experiments an urgent priority; - establish a timetable for replacing the use of all primates in scientific experiments with alternatives. The Commission states that it is currently working on a revision of the Directive, and adds that 'All the research activities carried out under the Framework Programme must be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles.' The Commission instigates an ethical review of any research proposals that raise sensitive ethical issues. 'Research involving the use of primates is always submitted to ethical review. In fact, the one project rejected in the Sixth Framework Programme on ethical grounds was a project that involved the use of primates. It shows that the European Commission's ethical review is capable of restricting the use of primates in research,' reads a Commission statement. 'Furthermore, the use of available alternatives is always compulsory, in conformity with the application of the 3R principle (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of the use of animals in research) as part of the scientific and ethical review.' According to the Parliament, more than 10,000 primates are used in experiments every year in EU laboratories. However, public opinion is largely against such practices: the declaration points out that more than 80% of those participating in a 2006 public consultation considered the use of primates in experiments as unacceptable. The main arguments against the use of primates in experiments are: evidence that primates suffer immensely when in captivity; 26% of primate species are in danger of extinction and wild-caught primates are still being used in laboratories; it will be difficult to protect primates from further threats such as human consumption if the West is, at the same time, using these species in experiments; there are important differences between humans and other primates, meaning that the results of studies using primates are not always applicable to humans; advanced technology and techniques now offer alternative methods that are more efficient and reliable than primate experiments. UK MEP and co-sponsor of the declaration welcomed its adoption by the Parliament, saying: 'Advancements in technology have provided alternative 'test' methods that are proving to be more efficient and reliable than primate experiments and ending the use of monkeys and apes in scientific trials must now be a priority.' Fellow UK MEP David Martin added: 'Primates are so close to humans in their social, mental and emotional functions that putting them through the extreme trauma of scientific testing should be unthinkable. Aside from this consideration scientific tests on primates are often bad science, and many of the species being used are endangered in the wild.' The Director of the Eurogroup for Animals welcomed the Declaration and urged the Commission to now put in place a strategy, as well as resources, to achieve a phase-out of experiments involving primates as a matter of urgency.