PRNewswire - December 18, 2006

Simultaneously in the UK, four Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Jens Holm, Caroline Lucas, Sajjad Karim, and Robert Evans are taking the lead in urging other MEPs to join their plan to end out primate research across Europe. This comes at a time when almost 60 MEPs have already signed a declaration before the European Parliament to end primate research across the EU in the next six years.

In conjunction with these efforts, ADI has recently released information regarding the use of primates in specific experiments taking place in the U.S. in such institutions as the University of Wisconsin and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, which also recently came under fire from ADI for charges of animal cruelty and unethical research tactics.

Whether it's chimpanzees mysteriously dying during research procedures at Yerkes Primate Research Center in Atlanta; monkeys having recording equipment implanted into their skulls and head holders screwed into their brains at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland; pregnant monkeys being subjected to bouts of stress in small, darkened boxes at the University of Wisconsin; or continued, non-conclusive HIV vaccine tests on chimpanzees, despite species differences in responses to HIV; egregious, unethical and unnecessary research on primates continue at a large scale in this country.

Not only is ADI committed to ending this type of research on primates, they are dedicated to supporting alternatives and helping to make non-animal research an industry-wide reality. Most recently, ADI -- as part of the Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research (LDF) -- helped to implement an fMRI scanner at Aston University in Birmingham, England to replace animal-based brain analysis research at the facility. ADI has committed to paying for the upkeep of this fMRI scanner for the next ten years. This, too, is possible in the U.S.

Jan Creamer, Chief Executive of ADI, said, "We don't need to destroy primates in laboratories. Our report [Primate Nations] highlights the similarities but also the key biological differences which make primate research unreliable, such as the TGN1412 experimental drug trial which caused serious damage to human volunteers such as head swelling, after it had been given to monkeys with no side effects."

"Often drugs are withdrawn from the market after adverse effects in humans, despite appearing to be successful in animal tests. This is due to unreliable results produced from research on animals," stated Jennifer Blum of ADI. "We are determined to see an end to human suffering as well as animal suffering as a result of dubious medical research on animals. With the right support, ADI can be a vital part of the solution for better animal protection and human health in the U.S."

ADI US is hoping for positive responses to their efforts from the House and Senate.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Animal Defenders International (ADI)

With offices in London and San Francisco, Animal Defenders International (ADI) is a major international campaigning group, lobbying to protect animals on issues such as animals in entertainment and their use in experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI involves itself in international animal rescues as well as educational work on animals, conservation and environment. In just over a decade, ADI has become a major force for animal protection and has succeeded through its undercover investigations in securing legal protection for animals. ADI's evidence of the torment to animals has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them. http://www.ad-international.org

SOURCE Animal Defenders International

http://www.ad-international.org

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