Noted primate researcher to discuss animal research

On Tuesday, March 29, University of Wisconsin–Madison psychology professor Charles Snowdon will discuss his decades of research on a small new-world monkey called the cotton-top tamarin. Snowdon’s observations have shed light on human behavior and biodiversity conservation.

The forum is the second of three on campus intended to highlight the ethics of animal research.

On Monday, April 4, Gary Varner of Texas A&M University will discuss the basis of moral status, personhood, and near-personhood, in relation to animal research.

Both sessions will be held at 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 1100, Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave. Both sessions are free and open to the public and will include an extensive audience question-and-answer session.

“We want these talks to be discussions with the community on the costs, benefits and ethics of animal research,” says Eric Sandgren, an associate professor of pathobiological sciences who directs the university’s Research Animal Resource Center. “More transparency, more communication and better information helps everyone involved in this emotional debate.”