The Urgent Need to Expand Nonhuman Primate Breeding in the U.S. To Benefit Humans and Animals Alike
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. “
Scientists, Veterinarians and Conservationists Offer Recommendations to Address Shortage of Long-Tailed Macaques Required for Continued Health Advancements
August 1, 2023
A coalition of 40 organizations representing the scientific, veterinary and conservation communities are partnering to advocate for the protection of longtailed macaque monkeys – both in captivity and in the wild. Their recommendations seek to ensure the healthy continuation of this species within natural habitats and to protect future medical advancements that benefit humans and animals alike.
Experts Offer Recommendations to Address Long-Tailed Macaque Shortage
A coalition of 40 organizations representing the scientific, veterinary and conservation communities are partnering to advocate for the protection of long- tailed macaque monkeys – both in captivity and in the wild. Their recommendations seek to ensure the healthy continuation of this species within natural habitats and to protect future medical advancements that benefit humans and animals alike.
Americans for Medical Progress Statement on Ongoing Misinformation Campaign Targeting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
October 28, 2021
Efforts by a collection of animal rights organizations this week to mislead the public about critical health research in animals is nothing less than appalling. These groups have essentially accused the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of “medieval torture.” However, as the Washington Post noted, “The only thing being tortured here is the truth.” So many critical facts were missing or purposefully misconstrued by activists, it’s no wonder people are upset. Here are just a few of the important details that were left out:
● The research took place in dogs because much of the work was focused on developing dog vaccines to combat leishmaniasis, a dangerous parasitic disease that threatens both canines and humans. One must logically study dogs in order to develop dog medications. To suggest otherwise is nonsensical.
● An additional reason why leishmaniasis research occurs in canines is because the disease frequently uses dogs as disease hosts. It then jumps to humans via sand fly bites. This demonstrates again why creating a vaccine for dogs is so critically important.
● There are significant factual errors in the claims circulated by animal activists. One of the three research projects that was criticized was never funded by the NIAID or the NIH. As a result, the photo of research animals under mosquito netting that appeared in nearly all the news coverage was also highly misleading.
● Regarding the research that was funded by the NIH, records show extensive steps were taken to ensure the animals involved in studies did not suffer. They were not “eaten alive” by flies as activists have falsely claimed.
Americans for Medical Progress Statement on Research Animal Adoptions and Retirements
August 3, 2022
On occasion, news events generate public questions about the retirement or adoption of animals previously involved in biomedical research that advances both human and veterinary medicine. Below is a statement from Americans for Medical Progress to provide important information and context.
In most cases, animals involved in biomedical research must be humanely euthanized to obtain critical data being sought to improve human and animal health. However, when this is not necessary, Americans for Medical Progress fully supports the retirement and adoption of research animals, whenever possible. In fact, many scientific organizations in the United States have already established their own adoption/retirement policies and procedures to ensure their animals are well cared for after studies are completed.
AMP Statement on the Continued Need for Animal Studies in Dogs in Light of Highly Publicized Canine Breeding Facility Closure
July 21, 2022
News coverage of the closure of a Virginia facility that breeds dogs for human and veterinary health research has prompted numerous questions from the public. Many Americans want to know why research in canines takes place, how often these studies occur and why there are no alternatives. Below is a statement from Americans for Medical Progress in response to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Studies in dogs frequently help ensure new medications developed for human and animal use are safe and do not pose serious health risks. We simply must be as certain as possible that the medicines we ingest or provide to our loved ones will not cause harm. But research in dogs is far from the first step in this incredibly important process. These tests typically begin in cell cultures and in computer models. Once these non-animal assessments are completed and initial safety indications are met, tests in rodents then take place. Barring any problems in these small animal models, an assessment in a larger animal species comes next. When this step is finally reached, dogs are often required because canines provide highly meaningful data that has been clearly shown to translate to human health use.
Americans for Medical Progress Statement on Pennsylvania Truck Accident Involving Monkeys Being Transported for Health Research
January 26, 2022
Last weekend’s truck crash in Pennsylvania, which sadly resulted in the deaths of three research monkeys, continues to receive widespread media attention across the United States and beyond. Following Friday’s accident, questions, concerns and even conspiracy theories have begun circulating.
Because this unfortunate incident continues to raise questions and generate news coverage, Americans for Medical Progress, a nonprofit organization which supports the advancement of human and animal medicine through responsible and highly regulated research in animals, wishes to provide some helpful information and context. Below is a statement from our organization.
Excerpt..
“Our organization has consulted with veterinary experts. In doing so, we have learned that while monkeys can carry a small number of naturally occurring diseases, the risks in this case were likely very minimal. Only a handful of people approached the animals. Nobody appears to have been bitten or scratched. Furthermore, stories that a member of the public became ill after the accident are apparently untrue. As the motorist in question explained to a local reporter: “I want people to know that I’m not sick despite what they read in the media.” She is wisely following the advice of federal health experts and is receiving preventative treatment as a precautionary measure.”
Americans for Medical Progress Honors the Animals Behind the COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments
November 10, 2021
Americans for Medical Progress, a nonprofit organization that supports the advancement of human and animal medicine through responsible and highly-regulated animal research, has released a series of posters to recognize the unsung heroes behind the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
According to a recently released statistical analysis, coronavirus vaccination is estimated to have saved approximately 140,000 American lives between the time the vaccines were initially made available for use and May 9, 2021.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are perhaps the biggest medical breakthroughs of our lifetimes. However, despite the huge impact that coronavirus has had on all of us, many Americans are likely not fully aware of how these vaccines came to be,” said Paula Clifford, Executive Director of Americans for Medical Progress. “That’s why we decided to release a series of posters to highlight the critical role of animal studies in making these lifesaving interventions available.”