Marla Sokolowski

primates in research. Many primates face extinction, they argued, as a result of increased habitat destruction and eating their flesh, known as bushmeat. “It may be difficult to protect primates from these threats if it is perceived these species are used freely by Western academic institutions,” the MEPs warned. But this declaration was rejected by the European Commission in drawing up its new directive, although many researchers fear that the European Parliament will seek to change the proposals. “We are dismayed that some members of the European parliament are burying their heads in the sands of anti-vivisection propaganda, refusing to even meet researchers or visit animal facilities,” said Simon Festing, director of the Research Defence Society in the UK. “I do despair of the constant battles we have to fight just to continue to do good science and save lives. These waves of anti-science we keep experiencing are disquieting,” said neuroscientist Tipu Aziz of Oxford University. “Modern biology is hugely dependent on the use of animals in research. Not only has the use of animals in research contributed to our understanding of how the human body works and the development of treatments and medicines that reduce human suffering and save lives, but it is also vital to progress in veterinary medicine,” says Britain’s science academy, the Royal Society. “It is important the directive balances benefits to humans with animal welfare for the greater good of both. As a means of achieving that balance the Society strongly endorses the principle of the 3Rs to reduce, refine and replace the use of animals in research where possible.” Focus: New discussions in Europe on animal experiments focus on the issue of using primates. (Photo: Koehler Primate Research Centre; http://wkprc.eva.mpg.de at MPI-EVA.) Marla Sokolowski