MRC responds to the Weatherall report on research using primates
12 June 2007
The Medical Research Council has published its response to The use of non-human primates in research, the report by a working group chaired by Sir David Weatherall FRS FMedSci, and has pledged its support for a UK strategy for non-human primate research. This initiative has also received backing from the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir David King FRS.
The Weatherall Report, sponsored by the Academy of Medical Science, the Royal Society, the Wellcome and the MRC, was published in December 2006 and identified a strong case for maintaining work on non-human primates for defined questions of biological or medical importance.
Professor Colin Blakemore re-iterated the MRC’s support for the report and its commitment to working with other stakeholders to take its recommendations forward.
“We support the development of a national strategy for primate research that considers the issue of the creation of centres of excellence. We are also committed to undertaking a systematic review of the outcomes of such research over the past decade, which will aim to assess the overall efficiency and impact of research of this kind. The MRC believes firmly in commissioning research based only on its quality and potential benefits, and we are commmited to conducting and evaluating research as openly as possible,” said Professor Blakemore.
The Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir David King FRS has welcomed the publication of the Weatherall report and expressed support for the development of this national strategy.
Sir David said: ‘I welcome Professor Weatherall’s valuable and independent contribution to what is a sensitive area. I accept his conclusion that there is a strong scientific case for the carefully regulated use of non-human primates where there are no other means to address clearly defined questions of particular biological or medical importance and I am proud that the UK has the skilled people to carry out this important work.
‘Although rare, the use of primates in medical research and testing is invaluable, as an essential aspect of work which provides the best hope for breakthroughs in important areas such as neurodegenerative disorders and for aspects of immune and reproductive functions.
‘The Government will build on the Weatherall recommendation, by developing a national strategy for the use of non-human primates in science.’
The strategy will consider improvements in networks between existing facilities and the establishment of specialised centres of excellence.
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