Nonhuman Primate Research Advances Science and Improves Public Health
Statement from SfN President Hollis Cline
Society for Neuroscience (SfN) President Hollis Cline released this statement today in advance of an NIH workshop on nonhuman primate research. SfN is the nation’s largest organization advancing the understanding of the brain and nervous system.
The Society for Neuroscience continues to actively support the humane, responsible, and well-regulated use of animals in research, including nonhuman primates, for the purposes of advancing science and improving public health. Carefully regulated, humane animal research has been key to nearly all major medical advances in recent history and will be equally essential for the continued advancement of medical progress.
Animal research is responsibly conducted within a carefully regulated system involving federal, state, institutional, and community review. Ethical treatment of research animals and successful science go hand-in-hand. For scientists, ensuring the welfare of our research animals is paramount, because we care about them and because it is central for the quality of scientific results.
Responsible animal research is essential for understanding and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases that affect an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide. Research using nonhuman primates is especially valuable as it allows scientists to study healthy brain function as well as how certain brain disorders affect higher cognitive, social and emotional processes in a model organism most similar to humans.
More information on animals in research can be found at BrainFacts.org/animals.
