37 Unnecessary Tombstones:
12 months of information concerning Negligent Primate Deaths in U.S. Laboratories
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37 Unnecessary Tombstones:
12 months of information concerning Negligent Primate Deaths in U.S. Laboratories
September 2012
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Summary
Federal reports and internal lab records reveal a nationwide pattern of
negligence and federal violations leading to the deaths of 37 primates
within thirteen universities and five private labs – based on information
which has become available within a period of one year.
Two of the labs have been fined by the USDA (Oregon Health Sciences
University, Texas Biomedical Research Institute); three received Official
Warnings (Pennsylvania State University Medical School, Rockefeller
University, Weill Medical College of Cornell University) and at least five
others are known to be the target of ongoing federal investigations (Harvard
Medical School, University of Wisconsin, MPI Research, University of
Louisiana, and the Bioqual lab). The University of Wisconsin is the
target of a multi-year probe involving at least 41 federal infractions.
One facility, the Pennsylvania State University has announced the total
elimination of all use of primates.
Primates have been strangulated, died of dehydration, run through cage
washers, died of traumatic injuries, died during transport, and have simply
been lost track of, only to be discovered in a state of decomposition.
Seven of the eight labs which comprise the federally funded National Primate
Research Center System, which annually receives over $100 million in federal
funding, are embroiled in the primate death epidemic.
Thirteen of the labs are universities, accounting for thirty of the primate
deaths; while five private labs account for seven primate deaths.
Primate Lab Deaths from USDA Inspection Reports and Completed enforcement actions
Emory UniversityA 7-19-12 USDA inspection report reveals that
following a medical procedure, a rhesus macaque monkey was killed due to
being placed in the wrong enclosure. Additional citations reveal
serious issues concerning roach & rodent infestation at the Field Station,
which endanger the health of the primates.
Vanderbilt UniversityA 7-16-12 USDA inspection report reveals that a
primate received a broken bone serious enough to require euthanasia en route
to/from a medical procedure. Additionally, citations were issued for
March & April incidents where several primates were negligently denied water
for 36 & 48 hours. Vanderbilt researchers are also cited for failure
to adequately consider alternatives to painful procedures.
Oregon Health Sciences University – Paid $12,000 federal fine 7/12 for the
deaths of 5 primates. 2 died due to administration of unapproved toxic
compounds, 1 died due to drug overdose, 2 died due to dehydration. The
fine was also relevant to an incident in which 9 primates escaped.
Pennsylvania State University Medical School – USDA issued an Official
Warning in June of 2012 for the 2011 primate death due to improper treatment
by an untrained research assistant.
Brigham & Women’s Hospital – A 5-16-12 USDA inspection report discloses the
strangulation death of a primate.
MPI Research – A 4/10/12 USDA report cites MPI Research for improper animal
handling of two primates which led to bone fractures requiring euthanasia.
University of Texas, Galveston An April 16, 2012, USDA report cites
the University of Texas, Galveston, for the death of a marmoset.
Harvard Medical SchoolUSDA reports have disclosed that 1 primate died of
a drug overdose (7/9/11), two primates have been reported to have died of
dehydration (1/31/12 USDA report, 2nd primate dehydration death listed in
Globe story on 2/29/12), while another passed on mysteriously after a
routine diagnostic test (12/12/11). [One primate had previously been
discovered deceased in a cage which had been sterilized (6/29/10)].
Covance ResearchA February 14, 2012, USDA inspection report for the
Covance Laboratories facility reveals that a primate became entangled in an
“enrichment device” and died, possibly by strangulation.
Texas Biomedical Research Institute The USDA announced in February
of 2012 that the Texas Biomedical Research Institute paid a $25,714 fine for
the death of a juvenile rhesus monkey who spent the night outside in
subfreezing temperatures.
Bristol Myers Squibb – A 1-23-12 inspection report disclosed that a primate
was left unattended while restrained and died. This follows an 8-2-11
report which revealed that a primate was left in a cage which went through a
cleaning and sterilization process, boiling the monkey alive.
Rockefeller University – A 1-25-12 USDA Inspection report cites the
university for the death of a primate due to a faulty collar, while
additional citations were issued for projects that purposely deprived
primates of water.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University – USDA issued an Official
Warning (7/11) for the death of a primate by lung hyperinflation due to
negligent use of an anesthetic machine.
Primate Lab Deaths Open Cases Currently Within USDA’s Investigation
and Enforcement Services Division
University of Louisiana, Lafayette – Open case for the deaths of 3 primates
in transfer chute.
MPI Research – Open Case for traumatic injuries which took the lives of
several animals including 2 primates.
Bioqual Laboratory – Open case for chimpanzee death during shipment form
Bioqual to University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
University of Wisconsin, Madison – Open case for 41 AWA violations primarily
relevant to primates, including several deaths.
Harvard Medical School – A federal investigation is underway relevant to
multiple primate deaths at the New England Primate Research Center, which is
affiliated with the Medical School.
Information Obtained from Internal facility Records relevant to potential Federal Violations
University of Washington, Seattle – Internal UW records reveal seven
primate escapes within fifteen months, one incident where a monkey obtained
a pair of scissors, an infant primate who was burned, a probe inadvertently
shoved into a primate’s brain causing neurological damage, and a surgical
procedure which had to be stopped when a primate vomited and self-extubated.
One primate who was in for a blood draw was euthanized due to an
undiscovered broken femur. Two monkeys lost eight inches of their
tails to amputation following traumatic injuries, while another monkey lost
the tips of several fingers. Five primates had to be euthanized after
losing up to 30% of their bodyweight. UW policy limits debilitation to
only a 20% weight loss.
University of California, Davis – Internal UC Davis veterinary records for
primates show one monkey died with a Bungee cord wrapped around her neck,
and another dead primate was not noticed until the carcass was found
infested with maggots. The documents also disclose more than a dozen
animals were engaging in self-destructive behavior, and several were killed
by UC Davis.
Links to Laboratory Pages for Document Retrieval
Emory University
GA
Vanderbilt
University TN
Oregon
Health Science University OR
Pennsylvania State University Medical School PA
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
M P I Research, L.L.C., Mattawan, MI
University of Texas at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Harvard Medical School MA
Covance Research Products WI
Texas Biomedical Research Institute TX
Bristol Myers NJ
Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Weill Medical College, New York, NY
University of Louisiana, Lafayette LA
Bioqual, Inc. MD
University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
University of Washington, Seattle WA
University of California, Davis CA

