Harvard Monkeys Die Due to Neglect and Mistreatment, University Fined $24,000
Harvard Medical School will have to pay thousands in fines related to the mistreatment of lab monkeys that caused several primates to die.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed Wednesday that 11 animal welfare violations that were found between February 2011 and July 2012 led to fines totaling $24,036.
Of the 11 violations, four were related to the deaths of research primates. Two primates experienced dehydration severe enough to require euthanasia, another was given too much anesthesia and the last primate died after it became entangled in a chain.
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Most of the violations occurred at Harvard's New England Primate Research Center. The center conducts research for AIDS, colon cancer and Parkinson's disease as well as other ailments.
"The leadership of the school cares deeply about upholding exemplary standards of care," read part of a statement released by Harvard.
Harvard previously announced this spring that the facility would be closed in 2015 due to budget constraints.
The deaths of the animals became news after a petition was created by a former Harvard graduate who became aware of the inhumane practices.
"How could someone not notice a monkey in a cage before loading the cage into a washer?" wrote John Pippin in the petition submitted by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "Harvard administrators claim that the primate facility has improved standards, but monkeys continue to suffer in captivity and die painful deaths. We believe there is a serious ongoing risk for tamarins and all primates at the laboratory."
Other animal rights activists such as Justin Goodman of People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals were not pleased with the amount of the fines given the amount of money the university receives in funding.
"For an institution that receives $185 million annually in taxpayer funds alone, half of which is spent on animal experiments, a $24,000 fine for years of abusing and neglecting monkeys won't motivate Harvard to do better by animals," he said.
"Thankfully, the school already recognizes that tormenting monkeys is not the future of science and made the laudable decision to completely shut down [the facility]," he added.
