Washington National Primate Research Center: Difference between revisions
Reverted 16 edits by 47.149.160.178 (talk): Serious NPOV problems, unexplained content removal |
Deltaspace42 (talk | contribs) m →Investigations: remove duplicate the, replaced: the The Arizona Republic → The Arizona Republic |
||
(23 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown) | |||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{undue weight|date=May 2020}} |
{{undue weight|date=May 2020}} |
||
The '''Washington National Primate Research Center''' ('''WaNPRC''') is a federally-funded biomedical research facility located on the [[University of Washington]] |
The '''Washington National Primate Research Center''' ('''WaNPRC''') is a federally-funded biomedical research facility located on the [[Seattle]] campus of the [[University of Washington]]. The WaNPRC is one of seven [[National Primate Research Center]]s established by the [[National Institutes of Health]] in the 1960s<ref name="About NPRCs">{{Cite web |title=About NPRCs |url=https://nprc.org/about-nprcs/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=NPRC |language=en}}</ref> The Washington primate center opened in 1961 and as of 2020, housed over 900 primates.<ref name="About NPRCs"/> The center is affiliated with the University of Washington Schools of Medicine, Public Health, affiliated research centers and the [[University of Washington Medical Center]].<ref name="About the Center">{{Cite web |title=About the Center |url=https://wanprc.uw.edu/about-the-center/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Washington National Primate Research Center |language=en-US}}</ref> It employs over 150 scientists and staff.<ref name="About NPRCs"/> |
||
==Administration== |
==Administration== |
||
The [[Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center]] on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington serves as the headquarters for the WaNPRC. The current director of the WaNPRC is Dr. Michele A. Basso, Professor in Biostructure and Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Message from the Director |url=http://wanprc.uw.edu/message-from-the-director/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Washington National Primate Research Center |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to leading the center, Dr. Basso is also a neuroscientist who conducts research seeking fundamental mechanisms underlying [[Neurological disorder|neurological diseases]] with a special interest in Parkinson's disease and [[dystonia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MICHELE A BASSO, PhD |url=https://sites.uw.edu/biostr/people/faculty/michele-basso/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Biological Structure |language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
==Research Facilities and Staff== |
==Research Facilities and Staff== |
||
In addition to its facilities on the University of Washington's Seattle campus, the WaNPRC leases facilities in the [[South Lake Union]] and [[Belltown, Seattle|Belltown]] neighborhoods of Seattle. Research at the center is conducted by a group of core staff scientists many of whom are also University of Washington faculty members. Core scientists at the center represent a variety of university departments. These include [[Biological engineering|bioengineering]], [[Biological structuralism|biological structure]], [[electrical engineering]], [[global health]], [[immunology]], [[laboratory medicine]], [[medical genetics]], [[microbiology]], [[obstetrics]] & [[Gynaecology|gynecology]], [[oncology]], [[pathology]], [[pharmaceutics]], [[physiology]] & [[biophysics]], and [[psychology]]. Over 400 affiliate scientists also conduct research at the center.<ref name="About the Center"/> Collectively, these individuals conduct biomedical research in a wide variety of areas including:<ref name="About the Center"/> |
|||
The WaNPRC is headquartered in the [[Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center]] on the University of Washington's Seattle campus. In addition, the center leases facilities in the [[South Lake Union]] and [[Belltown, Seattle|Belltown]] neighborhoods of Seattle. Research at the center is conducted by a group of core staff scientists, as well as over 400 affiliate scientists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facts about the WaNPRC |url=https://www.wanprc.org/about-wanprc/a-few-facts/ |website=Washington National Primate Research Center |accessdate=11 May 2020}}</ref> The current director of the WaNPRC is Dr. Michele Basso.<ref>{{cite web |title=WaNPRC Announces Appointment of New Director |url=https://wanprc.uw.edu/wanprc-announces-appointment-of-new-director/ |website=Washington National Primate Research Center |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> Dr. Basso's appointment at the WaNPRC has been criticized due to her numerous animal welfare violations while she was a professor at the University of Wisconsin, which at one point resulted in her suspension from conducting research.<ref>{{cite web |title=New UW Primate Center Director Was Once Suspended for Violations |url=https://www.peta.org/blog/new-uw-primate-center-director-michele-basso-suspended-violations/ |website=[[PETA]] |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=3 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ziff |first1=Deborah |title=UW-Madison suspends researcher over animal welfare problems |url=https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/uw-madison-suspends-researcher-over-animal-welfare-problems/article_2df54462-32eb-11df-98ea-001cc4c002e0.html#:~:text=UW%2DMadison%20suspended%20a%20professor,university%20records%20released%20this%20week. |website=[[Wisconsin State Journal]] |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=19 March 2010}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Neuroscience]] |
|||
* [[Infectious diseases]] including, [[HIV/AIDS]], [[SARS-CoV-2|SARS CoV-2]], [[Zika virus|Zika]], [[malaria]] and [[influenza]] research |
|||
* [[Reproductive Sciences|Reproductive science]] and [[Women's health|women's health]] |
|||
* [[Genomics]], [[gene therapy]] and [[regenerative medicine]] |
|||
* [[Immunogenetics]] |
|||
* Primate conservation |
|||
* The psychological well-being needs of nonhuman primates housed in captivity |
|||
==Breeding colonies== |
==Breeding colonies== |
||
[[File:Sunda pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina).jpg|thumb|Macaques are the most common type of non-human primates used at the WaNPRC.]] |
[[File:Sunda pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina).jpg|thumb|Macaques are the most common type of non-human primates used at the WaNPRC.]] |
||
⚫ | The WaNPRC breeds monkeys in their Seattle facility and maintains an off-site breeding colony near [[Mesa, Arizona]]. This “specific pathogen free” breeding colony of pigtail macaques was established in 2013.<ref name="About the Center"/> This is an Indoor/outdoor facility housing compound with support facilities located on 21 acres of Tribal Land belonging to the [[Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community]].<ref name="About the Center"/> From 1966 through 1996, UW operated a Primate Field Station in [[Medical Lake, WA]], in a former maximum-security prison building at [[Eastern State Hospital (Washington)|Eastern State Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sowa |first1=Tom |title=Primate Center To Close Amid Employees' Pride, Frustration |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/jul/23/primate-center-to-close-amid-employees-pride/ |website=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |access-date=15 January 2022 |date=23 July 1996}}</ref><ref name="dietrich1996">{{cite web |last1=Dietrich |first1=Bill |title=A High-Stakes Battle Over Animal Testing |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960204&slug=2312476 |website=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=15 January 2022 |date=4 February 1996}}</ref> |
||
The WaNPRC operates an on-site primate breeding colony in Seattle, as well as an off-site colony in the [[Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community]] near [[Mesa, Arizona]] for pig-tailed macaques.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wanprc.org/primate-resources/breeding-colony-management-genetics/ | title= Washington National Primate Research Center – Breeding Colony Management and Genetics Program'' | accessdate=January 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name="odell2021_1"/> |
|||
== Oversight, Events, Issues and Responses == |
|||
⚫ | From 1966 through 1996, UW operated a Primate Field Station in [[Medical Lake, WA]], in a former maximum-security prison building at [[ |
||
Animal studies at the center are regulated by a variety of agencies and organizations. The WaNPRC is inspected at least annually by the [[USDA|USDA's]] [[Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service]]. Studies are covered by regulations required by the National Institutes of Health and the primate center is accredited by [[Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International|AAALAC international]], a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. The primate center also self-reports to the NIH [[Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare|Office of Animal Laboratory Welfare]] when unexpected incidents that impact animals occur. Below is a list of incidents at the center, including incidents that led to animal deaths, along with responses by the USDA (citations, fines) and university responses. |
|||
==Experimental methods and procedures== |
|||
The WaNPRC is involved in a variety of experimental methods and surgical procedures on non-human primates. |
|||
===Brain experiments=== |
|||
The WaNPRC performs various studies on primates' brains, which often require cutting into the skulls of the primates and surgically implanting electrodes into their brains. |
|||
A 2017 study examined the effects of fetuses not getting enough oxygen to the brain (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy). This study involved four macaques. While still fetuses, researchers deprived the macaques of oxygen by surgically clamping their umbilical cords for 18 minutes. The macaques were then delivered earlier than normal by cesarean section, after which they had to be resuscitated. Researchers then monitored the macaques using various techniques, including implanting electrodes into their scalps. For the first three days of their lives, researchers deprived the macaques of oxygen by restricting their oxygen input to 8% for three minutes up to eight times daily. The macaques were kept alive for eight days, during which time some macaques developed seizures. At eight days of age, the macaques were euthanized and their bodies were further studied. Additionally, researchers compared these results to two "control" macaques who were euthanized immediately after birth.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McAdams | first1=Ryan M | last2=McPherson | first2=Ronald J | last3=Kapur | first3=Raj P | last4=Juul | first4=Sandra E | title=Focal brain injury associated with a model of severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in nonhuman primates | journal=Developmental Neuroscience | year=2017 | volume=39 | issue=1–4 | pages=107–123 | pmid=28343228 | doi=10.1159/000456658 | pmc=5519439 }}</ref> |
|||
A 2018 study examined the [[lateral intraparietal cortex]] of macaques' brains. The macaques in the study had electrodes surgically implanted in their brains, and researchers recorded the macaques' neurons while the macaques performed a task in which they visually tracked objects.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Shushruth | first1=S. | last2=Mazurek | first2=Mark | last3=Shadlen | first3=Michael N. | title=Comparison of Decision-Related Signals in Sensory and Motor Preparatory Responses of Neurons in Area LIP | journal=The Journal of Neuroscience | publisher=Society for Neuroscience | volume=38 | issue=28 | date=2018-06-13 | issn=0270-6474 | doi=10.1523/jneurosci.0668-18.2018 | pages=6350–6365| pmid=29899029 | pmc=6041788 }}</ref> |
|||
A 2019 study examined stimulating the outer layer of macaques' brains (with beta stimulation). Stimulation was delivered by surgically opening the macaques skulls (via a [[craniotomy]]) and inserting electrodes into the macaques' brains.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Zanos | first1=Stavros | last2=Rembado | first2=Irene | last3=Chen | first3=Daofen | last4=Fetz | first4=Eberhard E. | title=Phase-Locked Stimulation during Cortical Beta Oscillations Produces Bidirectional Synaptic Plasticity in Awake Monkeys | journal=Current Biology | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=28 | issue=16 | year=2018 | issn=0960-9822 | doi=10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.009 | pages=2515–2526.e4| pmid=30100342 | pmc=6108550 }}</ref> |
|||
A 2019 study involved devising a method to induce [[strokes]] on monkeys. Two male macaques were used in this study. The macaques's skulls were opened using a craniotomy to expose the brain. The macaques were then intravenously injected with a special chemical which destroys tissue when exposed to light. Light was then shone on part of the macaques' brains which activated the chemical and destroyed some of the brain tissue, thereby inducing a stroke.<ref>{{cite conference | last1=Khateeb | first1=Karam | last2=Yao | first2=Zhaojie | last3=Kharazia | first3=Viktor N. | last4=Burunova | first4=Evelena P. | last5=Song | first5=Shaozhen | last6=Wang | first6=Ruikang | last7=Yazdan-Shahmorad | first7=Azadeh | title=A Practical Method for Creating Targeted Focal Ischemic Stroke in the Cortex of Nonhuman Primates | publisher=IEEE | book-title=Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc | year=2019 | doi=10.1109/embc.2019.8857741| pmc=8523301 }}</ref> |
|||
===Eye and vision experiments=== |
|||
A 2018 study examined [[amblyopia]] (commonly called "lazy eye") in macaques. To give young macaques amblyopia, researchers surgically cut retinal muscles of some macaques, and made other macaques wear special contact lenses for 6-7 months which induced amblyopia.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Pham | first1=Amelie | last2=Carrasco | first2=Marisa | last3=Kiorpes | first3=Lynne | title=Endogenous attention improves perception in amblyopic macaques | journal=Journal of Vision | publisher=Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) | volume=18 | issue=3 | date=2018-03-23 | issn=1534-7362 | doi=10.1167/18.3.11 | page=11| pmid=29677324 | pmc=5868757 }}</ref> |
|||
A 2018 study examined how primate retina perceive color. The study involved removing the eyes of anesthetized monkeys and cutting out several parts of the eyes so they could be studied.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Wool | first1=Lauren E. | last2=Crook | first2=Joanna D. | last3=Troy | first3=John B. | last4=Packer | first4=Orin S. | last5=Zaidi | first5=Qasim | last6=Dacey | first6=Dennis M. | title=Nonselective Wiring Accounts for Red-Green Opponency in Midget Ganglion Cells of the Primate Retina | journal=The Journal of Neuroscience | publisher=Society for Neuroscience | volume=38 | issue=6 | date=2018-01-05 | issn=0270-6474 | doi=10.1523/jneurosci.1688-17.2017 | pages=1520–1540| pmid=29305531 | pmc=5815352 }}</ref> |
|||
===Pregnancy experiments=== |
|||
A 2015 study examined uterine overdistension, which is when the uterus is larger than normal due to amniotic fluid or a large baby. Researchers simulated uterine overdistension by implanting balloons inside the uteri of six pregnant macaques. Researchers found that the balloons caused three of the six macaques to have preterm labor. The baby macaques were delivered by cesarean section and euthanized.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Adams Waldorf | first1=Kristina M. | last2=Singh | first2=Natasha | last3=Mohan | first3=Aarthi R. | last4=Young | first4=Roger C. | last5=Ngo | first5=Lisa | last6=Das | first6=Ananya | last7=Tsai | first7=Jesse | last8=Bansal | first8=Aasthaa | last9=Paolella | first9=Louis | last10=Herbert | first10=Bronwen R. | last11=Sooranna | first11=Suren R. | last12=Gough | first12=G. Michael | last13=Astley | first13=Cliff | last14=Vogel | first14=Keith | last15=Baldessari | first15=Audrey E. | last16=Bammler | first16=Theodor K. | last17=MacDonald | first17=James | last18=Gravett | first18=Michael G. | last19=Rajagopal | first19=Lakshmi | last20=Johnson | first20=Mark R. | title=Uterine overdistention induces preterm labor mediated by inflammation: observations in pregnant women and nonhuman primates | journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=213 | issue=6 | year=2015 | issn=0002-9378 | doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.028 | pages=830.e1–830.e19| pmid=26284599 | pmc=4679421 }}</ref> |
|||
==Lab incidents== |
|||
Throughout its history, the WaNPRC has had many lab incidents and breaches of protocol, many of which have resulted in the deaths of various primates. Some of these incidents have resulted in fines and citations by the [[USDA]]. |
|||
=== 1990s === |
=== 1990s === |
||
Between 1990 and 1995, approximately eighteen primates died from dehydration at the center's facility in Medical Lake, WA. According to a news story in the Seattle Times, between 1990 and 1994, death rates of animals from non-experimental causes at the Medical Lake breeding facility were twice the rate from simple aging.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A High-Stakes Battle Over Animal Testing {{!}} The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960204&slug=2312476 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=archive.seattletimes.com}}</ref> According to that same article, at one point one working veterinarian was responsible for the care of 1,500 primates. In 1996 the Medical Lake station closed. Primates living at the facility were moved to Louisiana, Oregon, and Seattle. |
|||
=== 2000s=== |
=== 2000s=== |
||
In 2008, the [[NIH]] revealed that researchers at UW had performed several unauthorized surgeries on monkeys. The investigation revealed that five UW researchers had performed 41 unauthorized surgeries on 14 monkeys.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[KOMO-TV]] |date=February 26, 2008 | author=Tracy Vedder | title= 'UW investigated for unauthorized monkey surgeries | url=https://komonews.com/archive/uw-investigated-for-unauthorized-monkey-surgeries}}</ref> Komo news also reported that the [[Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee]] (IACUC) had ignored warnings about these sorts of issues. |
|||
* In 2008, a public records request by [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] revealed researchers had performed 41 surgeries on a group of 14 monkeys that were not previously approved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vedder |first=Tracy |date=2008-02-26 |title=UW investigated for unauthorized monkey surgeries |url=https://komonews.com/archive/uw-investigated-for-unauthorized-monkey-surgeries |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=KOMO |language=en}}</ref> |
|||
In 2009, a primate starved to death in UW's captivity, which resulted in a USDA fine of $10,893.<ref>{{cite news | title=UW fined in primate death | author=Sandi Doughton | work= [[The Seattle Times]] | date=January 8, 2010 | url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/uw-fined-in-primate-death/}}</ref> |
|||
* In 2010, The Seattle Times reported that a primate had starved to death in UW's facility in 2009. The incident resulted in a USDA fine of $10,893.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Seattle Times |date=2011-10-18 |title=UW fined in primate death |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/uw-fined-in-primate-death/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In the same article, the Seattle Times reported “the UW has spent millions to upgrade animal-care facilities and is now fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.” |
|||
=== 2010s === |
=== 2010s === |
||
From May to June 2013, there were three separate incidents of young macaques being attacked and killed by adult macaques. On May 2, a 1-month old macaque was severely injured shortly after it and its mother were introduced to a group of other macaques. The infant was then euthanized. On May 30, a 6-month old macaque was attacked by the adult male in its group and died. On June 12, a 9-month old macaque was attacked by an adult male and had to be euthanized.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=August 1, 2014 | author=Aaron Rhyner | title=USDA Inspection Report 41151451590704 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000ERYoK&d=%2Fa%2Ft0000000ncvc%2FxBpa0Q9KHWmRmwgy6PbU7CyTrobYCSmPT3GmsWlb2NM&asPdf=false}}</ref> |
|||
In July 2015, a USDA inspection revealed that the center's [[Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee]] (IACUC) had approved three protocols with incomplete descriptions, one of which led three primates having severe health issues and having to be euthanized.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[USDA]] |date=July 14, 2015 |author=Marcy Rosendale |title=USDA Inspection Report 12160935300793 |url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000DnwuG&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011chS%2FibNDyPs20IkjM0zkQct3D9f4B7PGORUEDW_nKcPHjRw&asPdf=false}}</ref><ref name="no_water">{{cite news | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/research-monkey-at-uw-dies-of-thirst/ | title=Another research monkey dies at UW; it got no water for several days | author=Sandi Doughton | work= [[The Seattle Times]] | date=March 14, 2017 }}</ref> The first protocol involved surgical incisions, but did not provide information about the length or location of the incisions. The second protocol involved skull, arm, and vertebral implants, but lacked information about the size and location of the incisions, as well as what type of instrumentation was to be implanted. As a result, three of the primates used in this protocol had severe health issues and had to be euthanized. The third protocol involved skull implants, but lacked a description of the size and locations of the implants. It was noted in the report that one primate in this study had been subjected to surgery on a large portion of its skull, and as a result, the animal's eyebrow appeared to be depressed. |
* Between May and June 2013, there were three separate incidents of young macaques being attacked by adult macaques. One of the animals died as a result of the attack. The other two were humanely euthanized due to the seriousness of their injuries.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=August 1, 2014 | author=Aaron Rhyner | title=USDA Inspection Report 41151451590704 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000ERYoK&d=%2Fa%2Ft0000000ncvc%2FxBpa0Q9KHWmRmwgy6PbU7CyTrobYCSmPT3GmsWlb2NM&asPdf=false}}</ref> |
||
* In July 2015, a USDA inspection revealed that the center's [[Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee]] (IACUC) had approved three protocols with incomplete descriptions, one of which led three primates having severe health issues and having to be euthanized.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[USDA]] |date=July 14, 2015 |author=Marcy Rosendale |title=USDA Inspection Report 12160935300793 |url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000DnwuG&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011chS%2FibNDyPs20IkjM0zkQct3D9f4B7PGORUEDW_nKcPHjRw&asPdf=false}}</ref><ref name="no_water">{{cite news | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/research-monkey-at-uw-dies-of-thirst/ | title=Another research monkey dies at UW; it got no water for several days | author=Sandi Doughton | work= [[The Seattle Times]] | date=March 14, 2017 }}</ref> The first protocol involved surgical incisions, but did not provide information about the length or location of the incisions. The second protocol involved skull, arm, and vertebral implants, but lacked information about the size and location of the incisions, as well as what type of instrumentation was to be implanted. As a result, three of the primates used in this protocol had severe health issues and had to be euthanized. The third protocol involved skull implants, but lacked a description of the size and locations of the implants. It was noted in the report that one primate in this study had been subjected to surgery on a large portion of its skull, and as a result, the animal's eyebrow appeared to be depressed. |
|||
⚫ | * On December 12, 2016, a primate died under anesthesia during an experimental MRI-related procedure. According to USDA records, “The animal was monitored by research staff; however, no anesthetic monitoring records were maintained during this procedure.”<ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=April 4, 2017 | author=Diane Forbes | title=USDA Inspection Report 2016082568191317 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000Dnx9f&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011dSv%2FgpgbP3NXAvek9V_rPmQ7qLTQSUp4C7edJ6bPqm94RTc&asPdf=false}}</ref> The incident was self-reported by the university. |
||
On |
* On January 8, 2017, an 8-year-old female pigtail macaque died of dehydration as the result of the water line in its cage being disconnected for two to three days. Animal husbandry logs indicated that twice daily checks had been performed every day prior to the incident to ensure the drinking hoses were functioning properly and food consumption logs had been normal.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=January 25, 2017 | author=Diane Forbes | title=USDA Inspection Report 2016082568076822 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000Dnw5y&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011dEM%2FPGYw042r.MBxzEHUmqkiPDvuxUNrvGJPHRwReKEQ9kA&asPdf=false}}</ref><ref name="no_water" /> The incident was self-reported by the university. |
||
⚫ | * In April 2018, a pigtail macaque accidentally asphyxiated using a chain adjacent to its cage. The involved enrichment device had not been properly installed. The facility self-reported the incident to NIH and OLAW officials. To prevent a similar incident in the future, the university determined all enrichment devices will be evaluated by a committee before being used with animals.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=November 15, 2018 | author=Diane Forbes | title=USDA Inspection Report 2016082569328955 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000EgZBb&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011iyG%2F8GnAkXI_t6yaqZDQ8thLfgTUrlANDi7IznTaJce951k&asPdf=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work=[[KOMO-TV]] | title= 'This is pure negligence,' says activist after UW lab monkey dies, dogs subjected to pain | date=January 11, 2019 | url=https://komonews.com/news/local/this-is-pure-negligence-says-activist-after-uw-lab-monkey-dies-dogs-subjected-to-pain}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/research-monkey-strangles-to-death-at-new-uw-animal-lab/ | title=Research monkey strangles to death at new UW animal lab | author=Sandi Doughton | work= [[The Seattle Times]] | date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> |
||
* In 2019, a primate died during surgery. According to a USDA inspector “The surgery was uneventful; however, the animal went into respiratory arrest during the recovery period which lead to the need for CPR and re-intubation. During CPR, the animal was seen to vomit, and ingesta was aspirated. The animal was revived and appeared to be recovering but arrested again later and died.” The incident was self-reported by the university to regulatory agencies.<ref name="USDA_June_4_2019">{{cite web | publisher=[[USDA]] | date=June 4, 2019 | author=Diane Forbes | title=USDA Inspection Report 2016082569505833 | url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000Dnwiz&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000011d0j%2Fw1ecWebZoWvmSCSdXSirMUUnINd0rqzkAsWlPKV3FHE&asPdf=false}}</ref> |
|||
⚫ | * In 2019, a drug vial was found to be diluted, which resulted in a primate possibly receiving less than the recommended dose of analgesic. The animal did receive other pain relievers and did not appear to be in pain during that time and recovered uneventfully. The incident was self–reported to regulatory agencies Additionally, an inspection discovered that a controlled drug cabinet had been left open and unattended.<ref name="USDA_June_4_2019" /> |
||
⚫ | In April 2018, a pigtail macaque accidentally |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | In 2019, a drug vial was found to be diluted, which resulted in a primate possibly receiving less than the recommended dose of analgesic. |
||
=== 2020s === |
=== 2020s === |
||
In January 2021, the USDA reported that a macaque had been left in a trapping run for 12 hours, without access to food or water. |
* In January 2021, the USDA reported that a macaque had accidentally been left in a trapping run for 12 hours, without access to food or water. Although the staff looked in the trapping run, they did not see the animal. The macaque was moderately dehydrated, given immediate treatment, and had recovered by the next day. The incident was self-reported by the university.<ref name="forbes2021">{{cite web |last1=Forbes |first1=Diane |title=USDA Inspection Report 2016090000603507 |url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000PMW3g&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000003DWF%2FzK.oQEcnwhZnoTefYA7LeOP18DlKT3zUJijPkA5PHFg&asPdf=false |website=[[USDA]] |access-date=20 March 2022 |date=26 January 2021}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | * In January 2021, the USDA reported that a macaque broke the locks between two cages and escaped into a room, which resulted in injuries to seven primates. All of the impacted animals were treated by the attending veterinarian and recovered from their injuries. The incident was self-reported by the university.<ref name="forbes2021" /> |
||
⚫ | * In August 2021, the USDA reported the temperature in a room containing 14 macaques was occasionally 5 to 7 degrees above normal highs over the course of several days. When the temperature deviation was identified, animal technicians opened inside doors and placed fans to provide increased air circulation. The HVAC unit was reset and functioned normally after the reset.<ref name="sismour2021">{{cite web |last1=Sismour |first1=Naomi |title=USDA Inspection Report 2016090000684994 |url=https://aphis--c.na21.content.force.com/sfc/dist/version/download/?oid=00Dt0000000GyZH&ids=068t000000PMv9c&d=%2Fa%2Ft00000003G6e%2F3VBFYIQJUdvX3EPngIu_8ZOUMNUNW95agXoXDyZk5sE&asPdf=false |website=[[USDA]] |access-date=20 March 2022 |date=12 August 2021}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | * In August 2021, the USDA reported that a building containing over 200 macaques had a significant amount of rodent feces in the ceiling lights and on the floor in many locations. Staff reported they were aware of the problem and had taken steps to combat the issue. The facility installed door sweeps, live traps, and put foam around the foundation of the building.<ref name="sismour2021" /> |
||
⚫ | * According to a media report in 2023, the WaNPRC reported a monkey had been injured while inserting a recording device into the animal's brain. In response, the university conducted a full review and instituted training protocol changes to avoid future accidents. The involved animal recovered and was moved to social housing. The incident was self-reported by the university.<ref>{{cite web |title=UW admits to causing brain damage to monkey during testing in primate lab |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/uw-admits-causing-brain-damage-monkey-during-testing-primate-lab/JJFT6PIUK5H5LLTF3QFHVZALGA/ |website=[[KIRO-TV|Kiro 7]] |access-date=12 May 2023 |date=26 April 2023}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | In August 2021, the USDA reported |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
==2021 Investigations by The Arizona Republic== |
==2021 Investigations by The Arizona Republic== |
||
Line 82: | Line 57: | ||
===Investigations=== |
===Investigations=== |
||
In October 2021, Rob O'Dell of |
In October 2021, Rob O'Dell of [[The Arizona Republic]] published four reports based on a seven-month investigation into the WaNPRC's Arizona breeding facility. The investigations revealed several issues with the lab, including high rates of valley fever among macaques, chemically tainted water supplies, administrational problems at the center including a sexual harassment scandal, and the center having broken laws in transporting the macaques. |
||
The first report from The Arizona Republic revealed that monkeys had been getting sick and dying from valley fever at high rates.<ref name="odell2021_1">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Sickness and death at Mesa-area monkey farm threaten primate center viability |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/valley-fever-mesa-monkey-facility-research/8371758002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=22 August 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> The University of Washington said that at least 47 monkeys had died of valley fever over the past eight years. Experts from the University of Arizona and University of Washington said that when studying viruses such as HIV, experimenting on monkeys infected with valley fever can bias or ruin the results. The investigation also revealed that the center has had high mortality rates due to valley fever, and had to kill 18 monkeys in the fourth quarter of 2014 because of valley fever. Furthermore, mortality rates for infants was even higher, and was over 40% in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
The first report from The Arizona Republic revealed that monkeys had been getting sick and dying from valley fever at high rates.<ref name="odell2021_1">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Sickness and death at Mesa-area monkey farm threaten primate center viability |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/valley-fever-mesa-monkey-facility-research/8371758002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=22 August 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> The University of Washington said that at least 47 monkeys had died of valley fever over the past eight years. Experts from the University of Arizona and University of Washington said that when studying viruses such as HIV, experimenting on monkeys infected with valley fever can bias or ruin the results. The investigation also revealed that the center has had high mortality rates due to valley fever, and had to kill 18 monkeys in the fourth quarter of 2014 because of valley fever. Furthermore, mortality rates for infants was even higher, and was over 40% in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
||
Line 88: | Line 63: | ||
The second investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that the monkeys' water supply at the breeding facility in Arizona, which comes from groundwater wells at the site, had been contaminated with lead, perchlorate, and other chemicals.<ref name="odell2021_2">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Chemical runoff from missile manufacturer taints Arizona monkey colony's water supply |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/perchlorate-nammo-talley-mesa-monkey-water-supply/8372163002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=22 August 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> These chemicals had been leached into the water from nearby defense contractor [[Nammo]]. Perchlorate affects hormone production and can cause improper brain development in infants. |
The second investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that the monkeys' water supply at the breeding facility in Arizona, which comes from groundwater wells at the site, had been contaminated with lead, perchlorate, and other chemicals.<ref name="odell2021_2">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Chemical runoff from missile manufacturer taints Arizona monkey colony's water supply |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/perchlorate-nammo-talley-mesa-monkey-water-supply/8372163002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=22 August 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> These chemicals had been leached into the water from nearby defense contractor [[Nammo]]. Perchlorate affects hormone production and can cause improper brain development in infants. |
||
The third investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed several administrational problems at the WaNPRC, including a sexual harassment scandal. |
The third investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed several administrational problems at the WaNPRC, including a sexual harassment scandal.<ref name="odell2021_3">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=On top of monkey farm woes, primate center faces financial problems and a sex scandal |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/washington-primate-center-finances-sex-scandal/8372433002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=13 November 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Many of the problems were brought to attention by a 2018 review by the center's National Scientific Advisory Board (NSAB). The NSAB review said that the center was inadequately staffed, and had four different associate directors in eight years. Furthermore, it said that the center's Seattle campus did not have enough veterinary staff. The NSAB also claimed the center had low morale, partly due to a sexual harassment scandal involving [[Michael Katze]], a division chief at the WaNPRC who was fired for harassing two of his employees. Katze's offenses included giving one employee money and gifts in exchange for sex, touching another employee, watching pornography at work, and frequently using profanity. The NSAB's report resulted in the [[National Institutes of Health]] restricting spending on some grant until the center responded to the NSAB's concerns. The Arizona Republic report also described how the center also recently hired Michele A. Basso as its new director, whose research had been suspended at the University of Wisconsin in 2009 due to poor methodology. More specifically, the University of Wisconsin's All Campus Animal Care and Use Committee said that Basso was uncooperative with veterinary staff, and often followed poor procedure, for example by inserting unsterilized materials into brain tissue, and having difficulties with some procedures. However, Basso denied wrongdoing and was supported by many of the University of Wisconsin's faculty. The Arizona Republic report also discussed financial problems at the center. |
||
The fourth investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that UW had failed to notify the Washington Department of Agriculture that several of its primates being transported from its breeding facility in Arizona to their lab in Washington had valley fever, which has been rampant in the breeding facility.<ref name="odell2021_4">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Primate center broke interstate transport laws. Negligence led to 5 monkey deaths |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/primate-center-monkey-deaths-transport-negligence/8373024002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Additionally, UW had broken several laws as it failed to provide both certificates of veterinary inspection as well as entry permits for many of the primates being transported. Furthermore, it was revealed that UW hadn't obtained entry permits for transported primates since 2014. |
The fourth investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that UW had failed to notify the Washington Department of Agriculture that several of its primates being transported from its breeding facility in Arizona to their lab in Washington had valley fever, which has been rampant in the breeding facility.<ref name="odell2021_4">{{cite web |last1=O'Dell |first1=Rob |title=Primate center broke interstate transport laws. Negligence led to 5 monkey deaths |url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/10/05/primate-center-monkey-deaths-transport-negligence/8373024002/ |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Additionally, UW had broken several laws as it failed to provide both certificates of veterinary inspection as well as entry permits for many of the primates being transported. Furthermore, it was revealed that UW hadn't obtained entry permits for transported primates since 2014. |
Latest revision as of 23:49, 31 December 2023
This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. (May 2020) |
The Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) is a federally-funded biomedical research facility located on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington. The WaNPRC is one of seven National Primate Research Centers established by the National Institutes of Health in the 1960s[1] The Washington primate center opened in 1961 and as of 2020, housed over 900 primates.[1] The center is affiliated with the University of Washington Schools of Medicine, Public Health, affiliated research centers and the University of Washington Medical Center.[2] It employs over 150 scientists and staff.[1]
Administration
[edit]The Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington serves as the headquarters for the WaNPRC. The current director of the WaNPRC is Dr. Michele A. Basso, Professor in Biostructure and Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.[3] In addition to leading the center, Dr. Basso is also a neuroscientist who conducts research seeking fundamental mechanisms underlying neurological diseases with a special interest in Parkinson's disease and dystonia.[4]
Research Facilities and Staff
[edit]In addition to its facilities on the University of Washington's Seattle campus, the WaNPRC leases facilities in the South Lake Union and Belltown neighborhoods of Seattle. Research at the center is conducted by a group of core staff scientists many of whom are also University of Washington faculty members. Core scientists at the center represent a variety of university departments. These include bioengineering, biological structure, electrical engineering, global health, immunology, laboratory medicine, medical genetics, microbiology, obstetrics & gynecology, oncology, pathology, pharmaceutics, physiology & biophysics, and psychology. Over 400 affiliate scientists also conduct research at the center.[2] Collectively, these individuals conduct biomedical research in a wide variety of areas including:[2]
- Neuroscience
- Infectious diseases including, HIV/AIDS, SARS CoV-2, Zika, malaria and influenza research
- Reproductive science and women's health
- Genomics, gene therapy and regenerative medicine
- Immunogenetics
- Primate conservation
- The psychological well-being needs of nonhuman primates housed in captivity
Breeding colonies
[edit]The WaNPRC breeds monkeys in their Seattle facility and maintains an off-site breeding colony near Mesa, Arizona. This “specific pathogen free” breeding colony of pigtail macaques was established in 2013.[2] This is an Indoor/outdoor facility housing compound with support facilities located on 21 acres of Tribal Land belonging to the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community.[2] From 1966 through 1996, UW operated a Primate Field Station in Medical Lake, WA, in a former maximum-security prison building at Eastern State Hospital.[5][6]
Oversight, Events, Issues and Responses
[edit]Animal studies at the center are regulated by a variety of agencies and organizations. The WaNPRC is inspected at least annually by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Studies are covered by regulations required by the National Institutes of Health and the primate center is accredited by AAALAC international, a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. The primate center also self-reports to the NIH Office of Animal Laboratory Welfare when unexpected incidents that impact animals occur. Below is a list of incidents at the center, including incidents that led to animal deaths, along with responses by the USDA (citations, fines) and university responses.
1990s
[edit]Between 1990 and 1995, approximately eighteen primates died from dehydration at the center's facility in Medical Lake, WA. According to a news story in the Seattle Times, between 1990 and 1994, death rates of animals from non-experimental causes at the Medical Lake breeding facility were twice the rate from simple aging.[7] According to that same article, at one point one working veterinarian was responsible for the care of 1,500 primates. In 1996 the Medical Lake station closed. Primates living at the facility were moved to Louisiana, Oregon, and Seattle.
2000s
[edit]- In 2008, a public records request by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals revealed researchers had performed 41 surgeries on a group of 14 monkeys that were not previously approved.[8]
- In 2010, The Seattle Times reported that a primate had starved to death in UW's facility in 2009. The incident resulted in a USDA fine of $10,893.[9] In the same article, the Seattle Times reported “the UW has spent millions to upgrade animal-care facilities and is now fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.”
2010s
[edit]- Between May and June 2013, there were three separate incidents of young macaques being attacked by adult macaques. One of the animals died as a result of the attack. The other two were humanely euthanized due to the seriousness of their injuries.[10]
- In July 2015, a USDA inspection revealed that the center's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) had approved three protocols with incomplete descriptions, one of which led three primates having severe health issues and having to be euthanized.[11][12] The first protocol involved surgical incisions, but did not provide information about the length or location of the incisions. The second protocol involved skull, arm, and vertebral implants, but lacked information about the size and location of the incisions, as well as what type of instrumentation was to be implanted. As a result, three of the primates used in this protocol had severe health issues and had to be euthanized. The third protocol involved skull implants, but lacked a description of the size and locations of the implants. It was noted in the report that one primate in this study had been subjected to surgery on a large portion of its skull, and as a result, the animal's eyebrow appeared to be depressed.
- On December 12, 2016, a primate died under anesthesia during an experimental MRI-related procedure. According to USDA records, “The animal was monitored by research staff; however, no anesthetic monitoring records were maintained during this procedure.”[13] The incident was self-reported by the university.
- On January 8, 2017, an 8-year-old female pigtail macaque died of dehydration as the result of the water line in its cage being disconnected for two to three days. Animal husbandry logs indicated that twice daily checks had been performed every day prior to the incident to ensure the drinking hoses were functioning properly and food consumption logs had been normal.[14][12] The incident was self-reported by the university.
- In April 2018, a pigtail macaque accidentally asphyxiated using a chain adjacent to its cage. The involved enrichment device had not been properly installed. The facility self-reported the incident to NIH and OLAW officials. To prevent a similar incident in the future, the university determined all enrichment devices will be evaluated by a committee before being used with animals.[15][16][17]
- In 2019, a primate died during surgery. According to a USDA inspector “The surgery was uneventful; however, the animal went into respiratory arrest during the recovery period which lead to the need for CPR and re-intubation. During CPR, the animal was seen to vomit, and ingesta was aspirated. The animal was revived and appeared to be recovering but arrested again later and died.” The incident was self-reported by the university to regulatory agencies.[18]
- In 2019, a drug vial was found to be diluted, which resulted in a primate possibly receiving less than the recommended dose of analgesic. The animal did receive other pain relievers and did not appear to be in pain during that time and recovered uneventfully. The incident was self–reported to regulatory agencies Additionally, an inspection discovered that a controlled drug cabinet had been left open and unattended.[18]
2020s
[edit]- In January 2021, the USDA reported that a macaque had accidentally been left in a trapping run for 12 hours, without access to food or water. Although the staff looked in the trapping run, they did not see the animal. The macaque was moderately dehydrated, given immediate treatment, and had recovered by the next day. The incident was self-reported by the university.[19]
- In January 2021, the USDA reported that a macaque broke the locks between two cages and escaped into a room, which resulted in injuries to seven primates. All of the impacted animals were treated by the attending veterinarian and recovered from their injuries. The incident was self-reported by the university.[19]
- In August 2021, the USDA reported the temperature in a room containing 14 macaques was occasionally 5 to 7 degrees above normal highs over the course of several days. When the temperature deviation was identified, animal technicians opened inside doors and placed fans to provide increased air circulation. The HVAC unit was reset and functioned normally after the reset.[20]
- In August 2021, the USDA reported that a building containing over 200 macaques had a significant amount of rodent feces in the ceiling lights and on the floor in many locations. Staff reported they were aware of the problem and had taken steps to combat the issue. The facility installed door sweeps, live traps, and put foam around the foundation of the building.[20]
- According to a media report in 2023, the WaNPRC reported a monkey had been injured while inserting a recording device into the animal's brain. In response, the university conducted a full review and instituted training protocol changes to avoid future accidents. The involved animal recovered and was moved to social housing. The incident was self-reported by the university.[21]
2021 Investigations by The Arizona Republic
[edit]Investigations
[edit]In October 2021, Rob O'Dell of The Arizona Republic published four reports based on a seven-month investigation into the WaNPRC's Arizona breeding facility. The investigations revealed several issues with the lab, including high rates of valley fever among macaques, chemically tainted water supplies, administrational problems at the center including a sexual harassment scandal, and the center having broken laws in transporting the macaques.
The first report from The Arizona Republic revealed that monkeys had been getting sick and dying from valley fever at high rates.[22] The University of Washington said that at least 47 monkeys had died of valley fever over the past eight years. Experts from the University of Arizona and University of Washington said that when studying viruses such as HIV, experimenting on monkeys infected with valley fever can bias or ruin the results. The investigation also revealed that the center has had high mortality rates due to valley fever, and had to kill 18 monkeys in the fourth quarter of 2014 because of valley fever. Furthermore, mortality rates for infants was even higher, and was over 40% in the fourth quarter of 2018.
The second investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that the monkeys' water supply at the breeding facility in Arizona, which comes from groundwater wells at the site, had been contaminated with lead, perchlorate, and other chemicals.[23] These chemicals had been leached into the water from nearby defense contractor Nammo. Perchlorate affects hormone production and can cause improper brain development in infants.
The third investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed several administrational problems at the WaNPRC, including a sexual harassment scandal.[24] Many of the problems were brought to attention by a 2018 review by the center's National Scientific Advisory Board (NSAB). The NSAB review said that the center was inadequately staffed, and had four different associate directors in eight years. Furthermore, it said that the center's Seattle campus did not have enough veterinary staff. The NSAB also claimed the center had low morale, partly due to a sexual harassment scandal involving Michael Katze, a division chief at the WaNPRC who was fired for harassing two of his employees. Katze's offenses included giving one employee money and gifts in exchange for sex, touching another employee, watching pornography at work, and frequently using profanity. The NSAB's report resulted in the National Institutes of Health restricting spending on some grant until the center responded to the NSAB's concerns. The Arizona Republic report also described how the center also recently hired Michele A. Basso as its new director, whose research had been suspended at the University of Wisconsin in 2009 due to poor methodology. More specifically, the University of Wisconsin's All Campus Animal Care and Use Committee said that Basso was uncooperative with veterinary staff, and often followed poor procedure, for example by inserting unsterilized materials into brain tissue, and having difficulties with some procedures. However, Basso denied wrongdoing and was supported by many of the University of Wisconsin's faculty. The Arizona Republic report also discussed financial problems at the center.
The fourth investigation by The Arizona Republic revealed that UW had failed to notify the Washington Department of Agriculture that several of its primates being transported from its breeding facility in Arizona to their lab in Washington had valley fever, which has been rampant in the breeding facility.[25] Additionally, UW had broken several laws as it failed to provide both certificates of veterinary inspection as well as entry permits for many of the primates being transported. Furthermore, it was revealed that UW hadn't obtained entry permits for transported primates since 2014.
Response
[edit]In December 2021, the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) started an investigation of UW's breeding facility in Arizona as a result of The Arizona Republic investigations and a complaint filed by PETA.[26][27]
In 2022, Rob O'Dell's reporting won the Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award from the National Press Club.
PETA Public Records Lawsuit
[edit]In 2020, PETA filed a public records lawsuit against the University of Washington, alleging that the university refused to turn over records at the WaNPRC.[28] [29] During the court proceedings, the former director of the lab and experimenters testified under oath that they routinely deleted data from the lab. In 2022, the King County Superior Court ruled in favor of PETA, and ordered UW to pay nearly $540,000 to PETA.[30][31] The court concluded that the university failed to perform a sufficient search for records, and consistently destroyed evidence which made it impossible for the school to comply with public records law.
Prominent Criticism
[edit]In August 2022, five members of the United States Congress wrote a letter to the Director of the National Institutes of Health, Lawrence A. Tabak, asking for an explanation as to why the WaNPRC was recently awarded a $65 million grant despite "serious ethical concerns and noncompliance issues" at the center.[32][33]
In October 2022, New Jersey senator Cory Booker wrote a letter to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, asking him to investigate why the WaNPRC's base operational funding grant was renewed, despite multiple issues with the center, including failure to maintain biosecurity, repeated animal welfare violations, financial issues, and failure to comply with state and federal laws.[34][33] In his letter, Booker referenced revelations from the 2021 investigations by the Arizona Republic and the 2022 PETA lawsuit.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "About NPRCs". NPRC. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ a b c d e "About the Center". Washington National Primate Research Center. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ "Message from the Director". Washington National Primate Research Center. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ "MICHELE A BASSO, PhD". Biological Structure. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ Sowa, Tom (23 July 1996). "Primate Center To Close Amid Employees' Pride, Frustration". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Dietrich, Bill (4 February 1996). "A High-Stakes Battle Over Animal Testing". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "A High-Stakes Battle Over Animal Testing | The Seattle Times". archive.seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ Vedder, Tracy (2008-02-26). "UW investigated for unauthorized monkey surgeries". KOMO. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ staff, Seattle Times (2011-10-18). "UW fined in primate death". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ Aaron Rhyner (August 1, 2014). "USDA Inspection Report 41151451590704". USDA.
- ^ Marcy Rosendale (July 14, 2015). "USDA Inspection Report 12160935300793". USDA.
- ^ a b Sandi Doughton (March 14, 2017). "Another research monkey dies at UW; it got no water for several days". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Diane Forbes (April 4, 2017). "USDA Inspection Report 2016082568191317". USDA.
- ^ Diane Forbes (January 25, 2017). "USDA Inspection Report 2016082568076822". USDA.
- ^ Diane Forbes (November 15, 2018). "USDA Inspection Report 2016082569328955". USDA.
- ^ "'This is pure negligence,' says activist after UW lab monkey dies, dogs subjected to pain". KOMO-TV. January 11, 2019.
- ^ Sandi Doughton (September 20, 2018). "Research monkey strangles to death at new UW animal lab". The Seattle Times.
- ^ a b Diane Forbes (June 4, 2019). "USDA Inspection Report 2016082569505833". USDA.
- ^ a b Forbes, Diane (26 January 2021). "USDA Inspection Report 2016090000603507". USDA. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b Sismour, Naomi (12 August 2021). "USDA Inspection Report 2016090000684994". USDA. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "UW admits to causing brain damage to monkey during testing in primate lab". Kiro 7. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ O'Dell, Rob (5 October 2021). "Sickness and death at Mesa-area monkey farm threaten primate center viability". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ O'Dell, Rob (5 October 2021). "Chemical runoff from missile manufacturer taints Arizona monkey colony's water supply". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ O'Dell, Rob (5 October 2021). "On top of monkey farm woes, primate center faces financial problems and a sex scandal". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ O'Dell, Rob (5 October 2021). "Primate center broke interstate transport laws. Negligence led to 5 monkey deaths". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Sikora, Colleen (21 December 2021). "Monkey breeding facility north of Mesa under federal investigation". 12 News. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Report: NIH probing UW primate center in Arizona". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "PETA Sues UW Over Primate Center, Animal Oversight Records". PETA. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Briscoe, Kienan (4 February 2022). "UW Primate Center destroys public records while investigated by Feds". Lynnwood Times. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Zhou, Amanda (13 October 2022). "UW ordered to pay PETA $540K in lawsuit over primate research". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "King County Court orders UW to pay PETA $540,000 in open records suit". KOMO News. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Titus, Dina; Fitzpatrick, Brian; Takano, Mark; Dean, Madeleine; Roybal-Allard, Lucille (29 August 2022). "Letter to Acting Director Lawrence Tabak on Funding for Harmful Primate Research" (PDF). Letter to Lawrence A. Tabak. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ a b O'Dell, Rob (10 October 2021). "Sen. Cory Booker calls for federal government to investigate monkey farm near Mesa". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Booker, Cory (6 October 2022). "UW Primate Center Funding" (PDF). Letter to Xavier Becerra. Retrieved 13 November 2022.