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Stop Animal
Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe
out animal experimentation"
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Contact: Michael Budkie (513) 575-5517
Embattled Northwestern Researchers Subject of Another USDA Complaint; Cites Cruelty to More Primates
Chicago, IL �
Northwestern University � already under investigation by federal
regulatory agencies � is the subject of an official complaint filed
with the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) by
a national research watchdog organization.
The new complaint � which names 7 Northwestern researchers, claiming
some or all of them deliberately withheld water from primates �
follows an announcement that the USDA is investigating Northwestern
after the deaths of several primates because of botched surgeries and
dehydration.
According to Cincinnati-based SAEN, published reports of Northwestern
tests specifically discuss withholding water unnecessarily from rhesus
monkeys.
"These animals may have had access to water for as little as 3 hours a
day, 5 days of the week. They may have been put at risk for
dehydration death as a result of the design of the experimentation in
which they were used," said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive
Director of SAEN.
According to the same published documentation these animals are
subjected to extensive surgeries where restraining bars and recording
cylinders are screwed into their skulls. These monkeys are then
confined to restraint chairs, with their heads literally bolted into
place.
"We believe that it is highly likely that these experiments may be
directly related to the deaths of both of the primates at
Northwestern," added Budkie. "These experiments are highly invasive
and potentially very painful for the primates."
Experimental duplication is another concern raised by SAEN. Citing
information available from the National Institutes of Health website,
the concurrent performance of no less than seven projects which
involve neural recording protocols in primates.
"Our information indicates that Northwestern University receives
approximately $1.5 million per year from the NIH for these seven
primate experiments. We are concerned that the real motivation for
these experiments is monetary," added Budkie.
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