You must enable cookies for this web site to function properly. Demand an Objective Assessment of Nonhuman Primate Use Demand an Objective Assessment of Nonhuman Primate Use In 2021, the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations issued a joint report in connection with funding for the upcoming fiscal year. That report directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to commission an ad-hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to explore the current and future use of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in NIH-funded research. In short, Congress requested the committee look into the extent to which nonhuman primates have been—and will continue to be—used in NIH biomedical research, and how existing and anticipated human-based model systems may reduce researchers’ reliance on nonhuman primates. NAVS has attended both public meetings of the committee in 2022 and is left with the strong impression that the committee is operating from a biased viewpoint. It appears as though the committee has no intention of conducting a thorough, honest review of how the NIH may reduce reliance on NHPs. Instead, it seems focused only on validating the interests of those who wish to see excessive, wasteful NHP use continue. Join us in contacting the chairman of the appropriations committee to ask that they intervene in the approach of the NASEM committee to ensure an honest, thoughtful, and balanced discussion on the topic of NHP use. Calls to Action: Please contact the chairman of the senate appropriations committee Spread the word! Share this page with your social network. Recipients Senator Patrick Leahy Contact *Required fields * Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr. * First Name: * Last Name: * Your Email: * Address 1: Address 2: * City: * State / Province: Choose a State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI AB BC MB NB NL NS NT NU ON PE QC SK YT None * ZIP / Postal Code: * Phone Number: Remember me. What's this? If you take action and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from National Anti-Vivisection Society. Message Intervene to refocus the committee examining the use of nonhuman primates in research Dear [Decision Maker], I first want to thank you for directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to commission an ad-hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to explore the current and future use of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in NIH research. NHP use in research is a sensitive topic that requires thoughtful consideration. Unfortunately, it appears that this committee, which is composed almost exclusively of scientists who use NHPs, is diverging from Congress' original intent and using this opportunity to validate the interests of those who wish to ensure that NHPs remain the model of choice in biomedical research. To ensure that the committee undertakes a thorough, unbiased review of the current use and future needs of NHP model systems, Congress must intervene and require the committee to include: 1. An honest review of NHP use that includes examples of the many shortcomings and failures of NHP models;2. The viewpoints of experts who utilize human-relevant, new approach methodologies in their research; and 3. Data from all NIH institutions, centers, and offices (ICOs) that use NHPs. To date, fewer than half of these ICOs have replied to requests for this important data.A paramount concern is that the committee is not interested in a balanced, thoughtful discussion of this topic. I hope that you will intervene to ensure that the work put in by the committee meets the charge set by Congress. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP]
