13 June 2002

Animal Experiments: Emotive issue

Biomedical scientists are on the defensive in the matter of experimentation on non-human primates. The potential fruits of such research — including treatments for AIDS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease — will be welcomed by the public. But the question will be asked: could similar advances be made without work on primates? Silence is not an option, and an open discussion of the importance of this work to human society is the only way forward.

Animal experiments: The great primate debate
When can invasive experiments on monkeys or apes be justified? And what would be the consequences for biomedical research if they were to cease? Sally Goodman and Erika Check pose some difficult questions.
Nature 417, 684–687 (2002) doi:10.1038/417684a
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Distasteful but necessary
The public must be told that experiments on primates remain essential for progress in some areas of biomedicine. But the scientists involved should also lead the way in pressing for improvements in animal welfare.
Nature 417, 673 (2002); doi:10.1038/417673a
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