Table of Contents
Should non-human primates be used in research?
Non-human primates are highly valued in biomedical research because of their genetic similarity to humans,2 which means they can be especially useful for testing the safety of new drugs and studying infectious diseases, and in neurophysiology, where they can be trained to respond to external stimuli and their central …
What can we learn from non-human primates?
Non-human primates alert us to the many, often uncanny similarities between humans and other animals, and the behaviors that define human distinctiveness. Studies of monkeys and apes in their natural settings in particular help us to model the ecological and social circumstances under which novel human behaviors arose.
Why are monkeys used in neuroscience research?
Neuroscientists can therefore only research complex cognitive functions relating to perception, attention, memory formation and awareness on monkeys. Monkeys are currently the only model that can be used to systematically study the relationships between the activity of individual neurons and higher cognitive functions.
How are animals used in neuroscience research?
Use of transgenic animals has allowed neuroscientists to decipher the function of particular genes and to create disease models, Yates said. Knockout models have been used in the study of Alzheimer’s disease, for example, and have been critical in understanding the neural basis of learning and memory.
Why are non-human primates important?
Experiments on non-human primates (NHPs) have brought about important advances in biology and medicine. Primates often play a crucial role in the safety testing of new drugs and in research aimed at understanding how the brain works and how to prevent infectious diseases in humans.
Why are non-human primates used in animal testing?
Currently, primates are only used in animal experiments when there are no suitable alternative methods or species. They are mainly used for safety testing of pharmaceutical products and devices, but also for fundamental research in biology and for research and development of medical products and devices.
What is meant by non-human primates?
Non-human primates are a group of mammals composed of simians – monkeys and apes – and prosimians, such as lemurs. The most frequently used primate species are the long-tailed macaque and the rhesus monkey (both Old World monkeys).
What is the main reason for sociality among primates?
What is the main reason for sociality among primates? group defense from predators – The primary reason for sociality is protection from predation. There is a range of predators that prey upon primates.
What is one trait that tells you these are apes and not monkeys?
What is one trait that tells you these are apes and not monkeys? There is no tail – Apes lack tails.
Why primates should be used in research?
Non-human primates are used in medical research because of their similarities to human beings. Results from research on non-human primates can often be applied to humans, and scientists have learned much about diseases, disorders, prevention and treatments for both humans and animals.
How are animals currently used in research on brains and behavior?
Animals are used in many other kinds of behavioral studies. Animal experiments have produced valuable information on the effects of visual stimulation on brain development, biofeedback techniques, memory loss, programmed instruction in education, aggression, stress, and recovery after strokes or brain injury.
Can research be legally conducted using animals without having approval?
The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is a federal law that addresses the standard of care animals receive at research facilities. This law excludes roughly 95 percent of the animals tested upon—such as rats, mice, birds, fish, and reptiles—and provides only minimal protections for the rest.