M E D I C I N E PCRM@PCRM.ORG WWW.PCRM.

ORG

December 27, 2008

Bijay Kumar Singh

Anam Nagar, Kathmandu
Nepal

To hom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of the appeal to the government to block exports from

commercial monkey farms to the United States, The exportation of these animals for
research raises significant scientific, ethical, and public health concerns,

There is a broadening consensus in the scientific community that animal models are of
poor relevance to our understanding of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other
diseases, Despite more than twenty-five years of HIV research on nonhuman primates,
there is no human vaccine against HIV or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), Widely used antiretroviral medications used in the treatment of HIV were
developed only after animal studies failed and scientists turned to nonanimal methods,
such as in vitro and in silico techniques, Nevertheless, nonhuman primates, including
chimpanzees and macaques infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) or
hybrids of SIV and HIV, continue to be used in research.

The ongoing use of nonhuman primates is contrary to available scientific evidence, A

2008 analysis by Dr. Bailey and colleagues demonstrated that more than 80 AIDS
vaccines safe and effective in nonhuman primates subsequently failed in human clinical
trials, These failures can largely be explained by the profound biological differences
between humans and nonhuman primates and HIV and SIV, Biological differences across
species also help explain why nonhuman primates are poor models for neurosciences,
mental health, and other infectious diseases research.

The use of nonhuman primates in medical research raises serious ethical concerns, Today
there are an estimated 55,000 to 85,000 nonhuman primates in research laboratories in
the United States, Most of these animals are kept in isolation in traditional steel cages,
Self-injurious behavior, including self-mutilation, commonly occurs in macaques and
other nonhuman primates used in laboratory research. Research conducted by my
colleagues and myself has demonstrated that, despite welfare regulations, nonhuman
primates suffer physically and psychologically as a result of their use in research.

Finally, the international trade of nonhuman primates raises concerns pertinent to

conservation and public health efforts, The conditions associated with capture, breeding,
and transport of nonhuman primates contribute to infectious disease transmission and the
increasing risk for emerging and reemerging diseases, According to a 1992 investigation
by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, 75% of the nonhuman primates
may be killed at holding centers, partially because of the risk for disease transmission.

In summary, I urge the Nepalese government to block the exportation of nonhuman

primates to the United States for use in research, considering the associated scientific,
ethical, and public health concerns. I would be willing to discuss this matter further or
address any relevant questions.

Sincerely,

Hope Ferdowsian, M.D,, M.P.H.

Director of Research Policy