1. BIG PHARMA’S MONKEY BUSINESS.
- Author
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FRY, ERIKA
- Subjects
SMUGGLING ,MACAQUES ,DRUG development ,PHARMACEUTICAL industry ,MEDICAL research ,ENGINEERING laboratories - Abstract
The article discusses the recent crackdown on macaque smuggling and its impact on the drug development supply chain. The arrest of a Cambodian official involved in smuggling wild primates has disrupted the import of Cambodian long-tailed macaques, which are a significant source of lab monkeys in the US. This has sparked a debate about the necessity of primate testing in the pharmaceutical industry and the potential harm caused to these animals. The article also highlights concerns about the shortage of monkeys for testing and the potential loss of scientific advancements. The trade and use of these monkeys have come under scrutiny due to concerns about animal welfare and the impact on wild populations. The US government has launched an investigation into the sourcing of these monkeys, leading to disruptions in the supply chain for pharmaceutical companies. Animal rights activists are calling for an end to the use of primates in biomedical research, but the FDA acknowledges that current technological advancements are not yet sufficient to fully assess the risk of drugs to humans without animal testing. The recent case in Cambodia has shed light on the larger issue of wild monkeys being smuggled into breeding farms to meet the demand for lab monkeys. The global supply chain for nonhuman primates is complex, with monkeys often starting their lives in open-air farms in poorer countries. The shortage of lab monkeys remains a concern, and there is a debate about the need to expand domestic breeding in the US. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024