SfN Members Share Insight on the Essential Nature of Nonhuman Primate Research at NIH Workshop 

On September 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hosted the workshop, “Ensuring the Continued Responsible Oversight of Research with Non-Human Primates,” convening experts from a wide range of scientific, policy, animal welfare, and ethical fields to facilitate a scientifically informed discussion surrounding this essential research. Several SfN members were active and regular participants in the day-long event. The workshop came in response to a Congressional request and focused on a cross-science review of the current science in a number of fields, federal regulations for animal based research, ethical cost-benefit analysis for animal research, veterinary care of animals used in research, and oversight by NIH supported nonhuman primate research. 

SfN prepared a number of items in advance of the event to build awareness for the critical need and value of responsible and compassionate use of animals in neuroscience research including a public statement from SfN President Hollis Cline, Frequently Asked Questions on animal research, and research stories appearing on BrainFacts.org on Huntington’s disease, Brain Machine Interface, and Zika. Additionally, the Society partnered with the Foundation for Biomedical Research on a white paper discussing the critical role of nonhuman primates in medical research. The workshop was recorded and the video-cast will be available from NIH shortly.