Nonhuman Primates
Dutch primatologist and ethologist Frans de Waal once questioned, “If we look straight and deep into a chimpanzee's eyes, an intelligent self-assured personality looks back at us. If they are animals, what must we be?” Waal’s insightful query brings into focus the idea that we, humans, are all essentially “animals” with thoughts and behavioral traits that are unique to us. Moreover, he compares us to chimpanzees—a primate—for the reason that they are “intelligent” and “self-assured,” not unlike humans. However, despite the countless similarities between nonhuman primates and human beings, numerous species of “monkeys” are used in animal testing. Cruelty Free International defines animal testing as “any scientific experiment or test in which
…show more content…
a live animal is forced to undergo something that is likely to cause them pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.” Controversially, with today’s technology, there are alternative testing methods that can completely eliminate the need for live animal testing altogether. It is appalling enough that we acknowledge yet ignore the pain and suffering testing could cause to the live animal, but to force highly intelligent and mentally alert animals (such as nonhuman primates) to suffer through this is not only cruel, but selfish as well. Primates are not able to voice their pain and suffering, but this does not mean they don’t feel it. We need to put a stop to the malicious damage we are doing to these intelligent animals because it is an inhumane way to fulfill our human needs. We put these astonishing animals at risk for our own personal, egotistical gain and therefore it is our job to speak up for these animals as they cannot speak up on their own.
“Every year in the U.S., more than 105,000 primates are imprisoned in laboratories, where they are abused and killed in invasive, painful, and terrifying experiments,” ("Primates in Laboratories").
Unfortunately, the biological and psychological similarities between primates and humans make them a chief target for experimenters. Yet, these similarities could also be looked at as a reason not to use primates as test subjects. Divergent from any other lab rat, primates are self-aware. This means that they are able to interact with others freely and boldly and they have an honest view of their personality and the personalities of those around them. We know this because they were able to pass the mirror test—a test created by Gordon Gallup Jr. in 1970 that gauges self-awareness by determining whether an animal can recognize its own reflection in a mirror as an image of itself (ScienceDaily). Due to their acute self-awareness, when locked away in an undersized cage primates are bound to develop behavioral issues as a result of the psychological stress and social isolation. Many of these animals go tend to go insane and are seen to be rocking back and forth, pacing endlessly, and engaging in repetitive motions. Primates in Laboratories says, “they even engage in acts of self-mutilation, including tearing out their own hair or biting their own flesh,” which demonstrates the mental strain these unfit conditions put on them. Social companionship is one of the most important
psychological factors in a primate’s life. According to the Animal Welfare Act—a federal law in the U.S. regulating animals in research—each facility must develop and follow a plan for environmental enhancement to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. However, “a recent analysis of documents from two large facilities obtained by The Humane Society of the United States demonstrates that primates spent an average of 53 percent of their lives housed alone” (The Case for Phasing out Experiments on Primates). This much time alone is clearly not good for the primate’s health and state of mind. Until there are serious regulations put on animal testing with primates, it should be banned completely.
Besides having their fundamental needs completely disregarded, these imprisoned primates are subjected to painful and traumatic experimental tests.
a live animal is forced to undergo something that is likely to cause them pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.” Controversially, with today’s technology, there are alternative testing methods that can completely eliminate the need for live animal testing altogether. It is appalling enough that we acknowledge yet ignore the pain and suffering testing could cause to the live animal, but to force highly intelligent and mentally alert animals (such as nonhuman primates) to suffer through this is not only cruel, but selfish as well. Primates are not able to voice their pain and suffering, but this does not mean they don’t feel it. We need to put a stop to the malicious damage we are doing to these intelligent animals because it is an inhumane way to fulfill our human needs. We put these astonishing animals at risk for our own personal, egotistical gain and therefore it is our job to speak up for these animals as they cannot speak up on their own.
“Every year in the U.S., more than 105,000 primates are imprisoned in laboratories, where they are abused and killed in invasive, painful, and terrifying experiments,” ("Primates in Laboratories").
Unfortunately, the biological and psychological similarities between primates and humans make them a chief target for experimenters. Yet, these similarities could also be looked at as a reason not to use primates as test subjects. Divergent from any other lab rat, primates are self-aware. This means that they are able to interact with others freely and boldly and they have an honest view of their personality and the personalities of those around them. We know this because they were able to pass the mirror test—a test created by Gordon Gallup Jr. in 1970 that gauges self-awareness by determining whether an animal can recognize its own reflection in a mirror as an image of itself (ScienceDaily). Due to their acute self-awareness, when locked away in an undersized cage primates are bound to develop behavioral issues as a result of the psychological stress and social isolation. Many of these animals go tend to go insane and are seen to be rocking back and forth, pacing endlessly, and engaging in repetitive motions. Primates in Laboratories says, “they even engage in acts of self-mutilation, including tearing out their own hair or biting their own flesh,” which demonstrates the mental strain these unfit conditions put on them. Social companionship is one of the most important
psychological factors in a primate’s life. According to the Animal Welfare Act—a federal law in the U.S. regulating animals in research—each facility must develop and follow a plan for environmental enhancement to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. However, “a recent analysis of documents from two large facilities obtained by The Humane Society of the United States demonstrates that primates spent an average of 53 percent of their lives housed alone” (The Case for Phasing out Experiments on Primates). This much time alone is clearly not good for the primate’s health and state of mind. Until there are serious regulations put on animal testing with primates, it should be banned completely.
Besides having their fundamental needs completely disregarded, these imprisoned primates are subjected to painful and traumatic experimental tests.