WC8: FRAME primate study

FRAME Scientific Programme Manager Michelle Hudson presented her work on the use of primates in experiments at the World Congress in Canada.

She is carrying out a study as part of a multidisciplinary PhD project to examine how research scientists view the use of primates in biomedical science.  FRAME is deeply concerned about the use of non-human primates in research because their sentience and social nature means that the costs to them of experimentation and captivity are very high. So the project is considering the feasibility of phasing out their use.

The investigation is concentrated on primate use in schistosomiasis vaccine development and Parkinson's Disease research and Michelle has interviewed scientists who are working in those fields.

She will carry out an appraisal of the scientific evidence provided both in those interviews and in various journals.  The findings will be integrated in order to assess the implications for scientific practice.

It is believed that this is the first study of its kind to approach the question of whether primates can be eliminated from biomedical science in the future.

You can find out more about the project on this poster.