March, 2004 - Many Colorado citizens and taxpayers are
unaware that primates are being held at the University of Colorado Health
Sciences Center in Denver. The Colorado-based Committee for Research
Accountability (CRA), a project of In Defense of Animals, is asking that
CU immediately release the 34 captives who, according to CU, are being
used to attract research grant money.
Since 1986, CU�s Mark Laudenslager has used macaque
monkeys in maternal separation experiments to analyze the effects of
separating infants from their mothers. One can only imagine the terror and
confusion of the mother when her baby is torn from her, even for a short
time. After being taken from their mothers, the babies can experience
severe depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear, and may suffer lifelong
psychological consequences. Some of these monkeys were eventually sent to
a facility in Washington to be injected with the monkey version of HIV.
The infected monkeys were all killed at the end of the experiment.
Maternal separation experiments are widely known and
condemned by many because they are considered to be archaic, unnecessary
and of questionable applicability to human health. After many years of
public scrutiny, Laudenslager�s project ended recently.
The subjects of these experiments comprise between
one-third and two-thirds of the monkeys in the Health Sciences Center
breeding colony. Of these, 31 have been at the facility since birth, the
oldest being nearly 18 years old. Another monkey, a 36 year-old who was
stolen from her home in the wild, is slated as a potential subject for a
terminal experiment.
After repeated requests, citizens remain unable to view
the primate prison. Why is no one allowed even a short visit to this
public institution funded by taxpayer dollars? We can only imagine.
In 2003, CRA was told that CU officials would be willing
to discuss the possibility of release and retirement of the monkeys if a
sanctuary was found which would be willing to accept them. However, when
told that such a sanctuary had been found, CRA was told they must pay
$10,000 to $15,000 per monkey to the University of Colorado for their
release. CRA refuses to pay a ransom. Money will be needed to pay for new
enclosures and food at their new home at the sanctuary.
According to Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado Professor
of Biology and co-author with Dr. Jane Goodall of The Ten Trusts, �The
University ought to release the �CU 34' to the sanctuary and stop using
these wonderful beings as pawns in some heartless self-serving economic
ploy. It would be nice to see some compassion and respect rather than cold
negotiation.�
In connection with World Week for Animals in Laboratories
(April 17-24), we will be holding a peaceful VIGIL OF LIGHT at the Health
Sciences Center at 8th and Colorado in Denver. Bring family, friends and
flashlights at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2004 to join together in
asking the University of Colorado for their release.
In the meantime, please contact CU President Elizabeth
Hoffman at 303-492-6201 to ask for the immediate release of the CU 34. To
learn of other ways of helping, visit our website at www.freethecu34.org
(sign the online petition) or call the Committee for Research
Accountability at 303-618-3227 or [email protected].
UPDATED 3/19/04
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