Home Page
About SAEN
Articles and Reports
Contact Us
Events and Campaigns
Fact Sheets
Financial Information
How You Can Help
Make a Donation, Please!
Media Coverage
Newsletters
Petitions
Picture Archive
Press Releases
Resources and Links
Grass Roots Org. List

Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"

Media Coverage

Group says Bay State lab cruel to primate subjects

From the Boston Herald October 29th 2003.

A self-described "watchdog group" that tracks medical research involving animals charged yesterday that primates are treated cruelly-physically and psychologically-at a Harvard-affiliated research center.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN) Executive Director Michael A. Budkie also filed a complaint with federal regulators citing what he said was the New England Primate Research Center's failure to adequately report its activities. "Experiments at Harvard subject primates to addictive drugs, confinement in restraint chairs ad total isolation-known to cause insanity in primates, "Budkie said. Harvard officials did not respond for comment to request for comments.

The research center, located in Southboro, MA, is affiliated with Harvard medical school. Scientist there acknowledge that primates are used in experiments, but in the past have maintained that the tests are too dangerous for human beings and conducted as humanely as possible. According to SAEN as many as 605 primates in the facility are suffering some sort of pain or distress. The group based its conclusion on documents obtained through the federal Freedom of Information Act.

The SAEN report puts MA, sixth among states when ranked by number of primates used in ,or bred for ,research. There are 6,007 primates in MA labs, according to the group. First place went to Louisiana. While Harvard officials did not comment, other research organizations that were the focus of SAEN denied many allegations. More than one researcher has accused the group of "extremism" on behalf of primates.

Return to Media Coverage