The case is in keeping with the recent European trend of increasingly stringent regulations for animal research; most notably, a September 2007 petition in the European Parliament to end all nonhuman primate experiments gained support from more than half of its members. Although the European Commission denied the petition, the level of political support has alarmed scientists, who fear that upcoming revisions to guidelines could seriously hamper their research.

Even in the U.S., where the political climate for primate research is more permissive, investigators feel an intensifying strain. “Doing primate work just gets tougher and tougher,” says Bill New­some, who studies the visual system at Stanford University. Newsome worries about the “constantly increasing regulatory scrutiny and general anxiety about being on the front line against unscrupulous animal-rights activists.”

Newsome and others fear that animal-rights activists may seize on the Swiss ruling. “They network very effectively,” says Klaus-Peter Hoffmann, a neuroscientist at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, whose home has been the target of British protestors. “They see what happens in one country, and if it works, they will use the same tactics elsewhere.”

While the Swiss federal court considers the ruling and leaves Kiper’s and Martin’s projects struggling, both scientists express the greatest concern for the Swiss research agenda. “We built up a critical mass of talented primate researchers,” Martin says. “But now that whole future is at risk. People are going to leave, and I can’t recruit any more—why would anyone want to come and build their futures here? It’s a catastrophe.”

Note: This article was originally printed with the title, "Primate Motions".

5 Comments

1. 1. Dr. J 05:05 PM 9/4/08

   "People are going to leave, and I cant recruit any morewhy would anyone want to come and build their futures here? Its a catastrophe.
   
   No, it's a recognition that primate experiments are not only unconscionably inhumane, but also much more about careers and funding than about addressing human diseases. I hope for the day that the U.S. catches up with this recognition.
   
   Good riddance to tunnel-visioned primate vivisection. Bravo for the progressive Swiss regulatory and judicial systems!
   

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2. 2. mogmich 01:50 AM 9/10/08

   There is another good argument for making primate experiments illegal: Today there are alternative scientific methods. They might not be the most efficient methods, but it is not acceptable to give efficiency and productivity absolute priority.
   
   Making experiments on primates illegal would force science to develop other methods, which is not only possible, but the right thing to do!
   

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3. 3. slywy 07:03 AM 9/10/08

   Perhaps this will stimulate a better way of doing research.

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4. 4. ponti 02:40 AM 9/11/08

   Well done to the brave Swiss lawmakers! The majority of people are very uncomfortable with primate research but do not want to be seen siding with extreme activists. Other methods need to be found.

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5. 5. rictroll 10:12 PM 9/17/08

   We should not lose sight of the arbitrary choices being made about the value of lives ibn this article. Is a human if really that more valuable than that of a primate, or other species?
   
   And if you believe that human lives are more valuable - how do you quantify it?
   
   I challenge anyone to identify how a human life benefits the plant Earth.

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