Monkey experiment at former MUO violated protocol, animal rights group and feds say

2/2/2007
BY JENNI LAIDMAN
BLADE SCIENCE WRITER

Two squirrel monkeys died prematurely during an experimental procedure at the former Medical University of Ohio in early 2005, a group opposed to animal experimentation announced today.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found MUO now the University of Toledo Health Science Campus in violation of its own experimental protocols in the monkey deaths.

UT spokesman Matt Lockwood said MUO responded to the government inspection report at the time and corrected the problem.

The Cincinnati-based Stop Animal Exploitation Now has asked UT to provide it with all primate health records for the last two years, as a result of this USDA report. It also asked to see the university s animal care facilities.

There was a lot going on where approved procedures were not being followed, said Michael Budkie, executive director of the animal-rights group.

Details of the experimental procedure were not immediately available. The USDA inspection report states that the monkeys were to have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down the throat, but instead the monkeys were each given a tracheotomy -- a hole made in their windpipe.

In addition, the USDA report states, there was no record that one of the monkeys received fluids during the 15 hours it was under anesthesia. The report indicates both animals were to be euthanized at the end of the procedure.

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