“At Cambridge University a colony of between 400-500 marmosets were kept in small, barren metal cages. The monkeys were being bred for use in brain experiments. The research looked at aspects of brain function, brain disorders and potential treatments.

(mouse over the marmosets to read their story)

The experiments, some of which could last more than two years, included the deliberate infliction of brain damage (once, twice or three times) either by cutting or sucking out areas of the brain or by injecting toxins (this normally involved the top of the marmosets’ skull being sawn open or drilled); training and testing on tasks before and after brain damage (water deprivation and food restriction were used to coerce the monkeys to carry out the tasks); testing novel drugs, brain grafts and gene therapy on the brain damaged monkeys.

The suffering and distress experienced by the marmosets was immense. Such brutality towards our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom cannot be allowed to continue. The BUAV is therefore calling for the Zero Option, a new campaign initiative to end the use of primates in research.”

“It’s quite amazing. It’s just like taking the lid off a monkey… and you just plonk it back on again.” ~ Researcher describing sawing the skull of a marmoset

“It’s good fun to get them to do different tasks & to set up different tasks.” ~ Researcher

There are various alternatives to monkeys in brain research currently available. Please join me and help the BUAV put an end to their suffering!