ALIVE Newsletter No.86Topic

Welfare for Primates

Humans are primates. Among primates, there are the great apes, such as chimpanzees, and the simea, such as Japanese Macaques. It is believed that these two species spilt millions of years ago in the process of evolution.

The primates come from almost the same family as us, so we share similar traits, such as physical structures, physiology, cognitive abilities and social behaviors. This is why non-human primates are often used as a replacement for humans during scientific experiments. They are captured and are forced to endure a lot of pain and suffering. If primates are so similar to humans and they are good tools for experiments that help humans, then the same level of welfare and considerations should be given to them. When they are kept in a space where they bang their heads on the walls or ceilings, it is obvious that physical/mental disorders will develop.This is common sense, but scientists persistently resist the idea. I would say they are the ones who have real mental disorders.There are no borders when it comes to the pain of animals, thus there are no borders in animal welfare activities.

Fusako Nogami
Head of Publication and Editor