Statement On Primate Center Policy By UW-Madison Graduate School Dean Virginia Hinshaw

“I called a meeting this morning with Primate Center officials to obtain information about all exceptions that were made to the June 15, 1989 policy between the Primate Center and the Henry Vilas Park Zoo. That policy states that the Primate Center’s monkeys housed at the zoo will not be used in studies involving invasive experimental procedures.

“I feel strongly that any exceptions to this policy should have been made in writing for each specific case. It now appears that those written exceptions were not pursued by the center’s previous director. There is a letter from Feb. 1, 1995, from former Primate Center Director John Hearn to Vilas Zoo Director David Hall, that provides further clarification of the policy.

“The letter in part states: ‘In any cases where exceptional circumstances require a different use, for example unique genetic characteristics requiring more detailed investigation for human and animal health, we will review the proposal in advance with you.’ Hearn based these exceptions on scientific needs, but they should have been followed up with written notification to the zoo.

“The Primate Center conducts valuable medical research that is crucial to making progress on curing diseases such as HIV, osteoporosis and diseases associated with aging. The work of the center, one of seven primate centers in the nation, meets strict federal standards for research and is of great importance to society.

“The 1989 policy was created to address public concerns about the use of these monkeys. Having research animals in a public zoo is an unusual relationship for a national primate center.

“At this point, I have instructed the Primate Center that there will be no further exceptions allowed to this policy. We are currently conducting an inventory of all animals from the zoo that were part of exceptions to the 1989 policy, and that information will be made public as soon as it is completed.”