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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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