Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
cooperation among scientists across the globe in primate
research. The Society has several policy statements ranging
from the use of primates in entertainment to the protection
of primate health in the wild.
The International Association for the Study of Pain's
Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Research (
http://
www.iasp-pain.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section
published (see
http://www.nabr.org/Portals/8/Documents/
nonhuman07_22_08.pdf
). FBR's daily “E-Clips” provide
electronic news briefs that highlight research break-
throughs, regulatory items, and animal rights activities.
Other key organizations that contribute to the public's
understanding of the use of primates in research include
States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) (
http://
www.statesforbiomed.org/
), individual state associations
for biomedical research (e.g. California Biomedical
Research Association (
http://www.ca-biomed.org/
), New
Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (
http://www.
njabr.org/
), the Texas Society for Biomedical Research
(
http://www.tsbr.org/
)), the Northwest Association for
Biomedical Research (
http://www.nwabr.org/
), etc.), and
Americans for Medical Progress (
http://www.amprogress.
org/
).
Animal_
Research
) recognize the importance of standards for
research on animals that involved pain, and note the
diversity of international controls and regulation. The
Academy of Surgical Research has published a Policy
Statement regarding the use of animals in surgical research.
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Representation
Given the political, cultural and social perspectives on the
use of nonhuman primates in biomedical research, it is not
surprising that specific organizations have developed to
defend the use of these animals for biomedical research.
Europe
The European Biomedical Research Association (EBRA)
(
http://www.ebra.org/
) is an association of individuals and
national and scientific organizations in the scientific,
medical and veterinary professions in the countries of the
Council of Europe established to promote understanding of
the importance of animals in medical and veterinary
research and to represent the scientific community within
Europe on this issue. There is a strong focus on the use of
nonhuman primates, given the debate within Europe on this
issue.
USA
The National Association for Biomedical Research
(NABR) (
http://www.nabr.org/
) advocates for sound public
policy in support of ethical and essential laboratory animal
research. Established in 1979 as a nonprofit organization,
the NABR represents the scientific community in national
policy making which affects the use of animals in
biomedical research, education, and product safety testing.
Members of NABR include more than 300 institutions
including universities, medical and veterinary schools to
teaching hospitals, voluntary health agencies, and profes-
sional societies, as well as pharmaceutical companies and
other research-related firms. Among its numerous support
activities, importantly, NABR serves as a resource for the
media; hosts conferences addressing topics such as how to
communicate with elected officials, security at research
facilities, and how to respond to proposed legislation and
regulations; and acts as a liaison between NABR members
and federal agencies regulating the care and use of labo-
ratory animals. The NABR website is rich with information
relative to these activities; in addition, NABR's electronic
“Update” provides news regarding current US Federal and
international topics, animal activism, and legal issues.
NABR has developed a Crisis Management Guide to help
institutions prepare for the threats posed by animal activism
(
http://www.nabrcrisisguide.org/
).
The Foundation for Biomedical Research FBR (
http://
www.fbresearch.org/
) serves as a significant source of
information regarding the use of animals in biomedical
research, thereby promoting public understanding and
support for humane and responsible animal research. For
example, a fact sheet regarding the contributions to medical
advances from research using nonhuman primates has been
Networks
A range of networks provide useful information and stan-
dards
for both researchers
and
laboratory
animal
professions.
Primate Info Net
Primate Info Net (
http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/
) is based at
the US Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. It
covers the broad field of primatology with original and
linked resources and through email lists and other
resources, PIN also supports an informal “primate infor-
mation network” composed of thousands of individuals
around the world working with nonhuman primates.
European Primate Network
The European Primate Network (EUPRIM-Net) (
http://
www.euprim-net.eu/
) provides specialized infrastructures
and procedures for biological and biomedical research by
bringing together the nine European primate centers that
combine research and breeding to form a virtual European
Primate Center. Its activities include: definition of a health
control system for European primate centers, establishment
