Noted primate expert to discuss primate behavior, research ethics

A scientist who has pioneered the study of cooperation in primates will be the featured speaker at a forum on the ethics of animal research at University of Wisconsin–Madison.

On Friday, Feb. 3, Frans de Waal, professor of psychology at Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University, will discuss pro-social behavior of primates, and also in elephants.

de Waal, author of several books on animal behavior, including “Peacemaking among Primates,” worked at the Wisconsin National Primate Center in Madison from 1981 to 1991.

After discussing animal behavior, de Waal will comment on the practice of animal research and on the recent Institute of Medicine report on use of chimpanzees in research. He will also answer questions from the audience.

The talk, part of an ongoing UW–Madison discussion of the ethics of animal research, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 330 N. Orchard St. The talk is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the UW–Madison Forum on Animal Research Ethics.