Latest news with #AmyMeyer
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Animal advocates want proposed Oregon bill amended to close OHSU primate center
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Animal advocates have taken a public hearing on a proposed bill as an opportunity to urge lawmakers to shut down the Oregon National Primate Research Center. The House Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans held the hearing on on Tuesday. Although the measure would ban research facilities from using public funds to cover 'medically unnecessary' testing on dogs and cats, several people provided testimony on why the proposal should also call for the closure of Oregon Health & Science University's monkey research lab. Downtown Vancouver street parking could no longer be free on weekends. Here's why The facility first opened after accepting its first group of rhesus macaques in the 1960s. Since then, OHSU has reported that the primates help boost patient care by teaching researchers more about vaccines and cures for diseases like Parkinson's, measles and mumps. But in recent years, activists with groups like the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and have accused the university of abusing the monkeys by keeping them confined in tight areas and neglecting to treat them when they're sick. 'One of the facts that's irrefutable about the primate center is that it has violated the federal Animal Welfare Act repeatedly year after year,' Lake Oswego resident Amy Meyer, who testified on behalf of PETA, said at SB 181's hearing. 'They cannot get it right and every violation cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture means horrific suffering and often a terrible death has happened to the monkeys caged there.' Amid the renewed push to close the primate center, its ability to care for the animals and the importance of the research. In a statement issued last month, the university emphasized that its work is heavily regulated by federal officials and there are veterinary specialists that address the monkeys' medical and dental needs. The institution has also asserted it only uses animals for research that doesn't offer an alternative option. OHA: 'Alarming' rise in syphilis during pregnancy contribute to infant health issues 'We are working toward the goal of ultimately eliminating the need for animals, and specifically nonhuman primates, to conduct research,' OHSU said. 'Despite great advances in new approach methodology, the technology to eliminate animal research isn't there yet.' Following Tuesday's hearing, the House committee has scheduled another work session for SB 181. It is slated for Tuesday, May 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PETA claims monkey died ‘painful death' at OHSU research center, requests investigation
PORTLAND, Ore. () — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on federal leaders to investigate an Oregon research center after a monkey died a 'painful death' while in its care. In a sent to the director of the National Institutes for Health's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, PETA urged the Division of Compliance Oversight to probe the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Feds add Portland site to list of properties up for 'accelerated disposition' Located on Oregon Health and Science University's West campus in Beaverton, the facility has been accused of ignoring the symptoms of a Japanese macaque that died from sepsis last October. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited this incident in its inspection report from March 4. The a technician neglected to notify a veterinarian when the 4-year-old female monkey was found 'lying down multiple times' the day before her death. 'The failure to report unexpected signs of illness/distress such as repeatedly lying down to ensure timely delivery of veterinary medical care directly impacted the welfare of this animal,' USDA wrote. The department further noted that several other animals spent 96 hours in an enclosure that did not meet regulators' minimum space requirements. Harassment in Vancouver: Hypnosis, witchcraft, scare tactics Amy Meyer, associate director of PETA's primate experimentation campaigns, argued the facility is likely in noncompliance with NIH's Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 'We urge your office to thoroughly investigate the failures detailed in the USDA inspection report and assess whether OHSU has complied with its obligation to self-report problems in its laboratories,' Meyer wrote. 'Prompt and decisive action is warranted to address these apparent violations and to help prevent future lapses in oversight and animal welfare.' The facility has received plenty of backlash from animal rights activists and, in response, researchers held an of their work just a few weeks ago. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has asked OHSU to close the center in response to the pushback, but the institution contends it is committed to providing humane treatment. TriMet warns of 'drastic' service cuts without funding boost in Oregon transportation package The university also 'implemented measures to prevent a recurrence' of the death at the center of PETA's complaint, according to its statement to KOIN 6. 'Dozens of highly trained veterinary professionals engage with these animals daily to ensure their ongoing safety, enrichment, health and well-being,' OHSU said. 'These dedicated individuals develop strong bonds with the animals entrusted to their care — often for many years, and, in some cases, decades – so, the unexpected death of any animal is distressing, and their passing is grieved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
