EU to world: "The use of primates in experiments as not acceptable."
http://tinyurl.com/29au3o
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+WDECL+P6-DCL-2007-0040+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2004-2009 23.4.2007 0040/2007
WRITTEN DECLARATION
pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Jens Holm, Rebecca Harms, John Bowis, Martine Roure and Mojca Drčar Murko
Written declaration on primates in scientific experiments
The European Parliament,
- having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas more than 80% of respondents to the 2006 Commission's
public consultation on animals in experiments considered the use of
primates in experiments as not acceptable,
B. whereas more than 10,000 primates are used in experiments every
year in EU laboratories,
C. noting that almost all primate species share more than 90% of their
DNA with humans and it is acknowledged that the primate species have a
capacity to suffer greatly in captivity,
D. whereas 26% of primate species are in danger of extinction and
wild-caught primates continue to be used in laboratories, in addition
it may be difficult to protect primates from threats such as human
consumption if it is perceived that these species are used freely by
Western academic institutions,
E. whereas advanced technology and techniques now provide alternative
methods that are proving to be more efficient and reliable than
primate experiments, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI), microdosing, computer modelling or tissue and cell culture,
F. noting that despite genetic similarities, there are important
differences between humans and other primates, and primate experiments
cannot match the precision of humanbased study,
1. Urges the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European
Parliament to use the revision process of Directive 86/609/EC as an
opportunity to:
(a) make ending the use of apes and wild-caught monkeys in scientific
experiments an urgent priority,
(b) establish a timetable for replacing the use of all primates in
scientific experiments with alternatives;
2. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with
the names of the signatories, to the Council, the Commission and the
Member States.
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See too;
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/14157
For more information http://www.navs.org.uk/media_centre/35/0/802/
