On Thursday, April 11, 2024 an AMP opinion article on a crucially important topic was published in the Tallahassee Democrat. The op-ed is focused on the current shortage of nonhuman primates for biomedical research in the United States. The shortage was created by a variety of factors, including China’s decision to end animal exports during the pandemic, requiring biomedical research companies to quickly seek out alternative sources for these crucially important animals. The increased need for NHP studies to develop new COVID-19 vaccines and therapies also had a significant impact on the supply of research animals.

In recent months, plans to build much-needed breeding facilities on U.S. soil have repeatedly been targeted by a variety of animal rights organizations. AMP authored this opinion article to provide some critical context and inform the public about why facilities such as this are urgently needed to protect both human and animal health.

Excerpt:  

“If you’ve received a flu vaccine, or given your child cold medicine, you have directly benefited from animal research. If you’ve taken insulin for diabetes, received the polio vaccine, undergone chemotherapy, underwent coronary bypass surgery, had kidney dialysis, or taken medications for psychiatric illnesses, research in nonhuman primates played a big part in those treatments.”

“Critics often argue that computer models or organs-on-a-chip can replace animal research. And while these technologies help reduce the number of animals that need to be studied, they are still in their infancy and cannot fully replicate the intricate workings of the human body. “

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