FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 August 11, 2008

MONROE COUNTY HUMANE ASSOCIATION (MCHA)

COMMENDS IU PRESIDENT MCROBBIE’S DECISION TO END PRIMATE RESEARCH AT IUB

Calls for system wide end and research protocols that include animal welfare

Bloomington, Ind.-  The MCHA welcomes and commends IU President Michael McRobbie’s decision to end primate research at Indiana University Bloomington. The MCHA is also calling for a system-wide end of primates used in research and testing, alongside research policies that reduce all types of animal testing, minimizing suffering of animals in research at all IU campuses.

“President McRobbie has taken a conscientious stride to protect the health and safety of IU staff, students and employees and has concurrently taken a step to reduce the suffering of animals used in research and testing.”, said Sarah Hayes, CEO of the Monroe County Humane Association.

Macaques are one of the most commonly used monkeys in research today. Because of their social nature, monkeys in research often suffer from emotional issues from depression to psychotic behaviors due to the lack of proper housing and the inability to carry out their inherent behaviors.

Animals in research and testing also often experience procedures that involve pain and distress. Some categories of pain or distress, per the USDA, range from experiments involving no pain, distress or pain-relieving drugs, to experiments that involve pain or distress for which pain-relieving drugs are not provided.

Animal welfare agencies and advocates recognize that animal research will not come to an end in the near future, but recommend that policies and guidelines for research institutions prohibit research that causes severe pain and distress with no pain management. Advocates also call for research agendas that intersect efforts toward elevated standards of care and reduction of the suffering of animals, alongside the creation of alternatives to animal testing.

“Indiana University is a highly respected research institution. The MCHA hopes that IU will also be a leader in solid research policies and protocols that consider and markedly improve the welfare of all animals. Ceasing primate research at IUB is a win for the animals, but a system wide ban on primate research is also needed.”, said Sarah Hayes, CEO of the MCHA.

Media Contact:

Sarah Hayes, CEO, Monroe County Humane Association

mcha@bluemarble.net

812.332.0123