ACTION ALERT: Stop Animal Exploitation NOW! (SAEN) ~
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Dr. Robert Gibbens Director, Western Region, USDADetails of UNMC monkey’s death
revealed by watchdog group
From Jessica Wade,
UnoTheGateway.com, October 16, 2018
A rhesus macaques monkey used for HIV research at the University of
Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) was euthanized late March after displaying
abnormal behavior due to a hemorrhage in the brainstem after an attempted
spinal tap.
Details of the monkey’s death were released via a press release Tuesday
morning by SAEN, an Ohio-based nonprofit watchdog group that monitors U.S.
research facilities for illegal activity and animal abuse.
The group had obtained internal documents outlining the incident as well as
another incident that occurred in July during which two monkeys had escaped
from their cages, causing injuries to two other monkeys. One animal was
treated for minor injuries and three underwent “minor surgical repair.” All
four healed.
“These are powerful, clever monkeys and they’re hard on the equipment and
occasionally things on the cages break, and in this particular circumstance
that’s what happened,” Director of Comparative Medicine Dr. John Bradfield
said.
Bradfield said the monkeys are used for an HIV study.
“The problem with HIV is it infects humans and doesn’t naturally infect
other animal species,” Bradfield said. “The only related virus that will
give any information about HIV is this SIV [simian immunodeficiency virus],
and it infects only macaques species monkeys and behaves in monkeys just
like HIV behaves in humans.”
The study was probed by UNMC earlier this year after 10 monkeys received the
wrong medication. The mix up was detailed in an Omaha World-Herald article.
Bradfield stated that animal research has played a vital role in virtually
every major medical advance of the last century. From the discovery of
antibiotics, analgesics, anti-depressants and anesthetics, to the
development of organ transplants, bypass surgery, heart catheterization and
joint replacement.
“UNMC is a model for the country in its care and use of animals, and we meet
and exceed all federal and state requirements in these areas,” Bradfield
said. “Our facilities are inspected at least once a year, including an
unannounced visit by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
According to the group’s press release, SAEN has filed an Official Complaint
with the USDA.
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