A swathe of controversy swirls around a proposed colossal monkey breeding facility planned for Bainbridge, Georgia. Safer Human Medicine (SHM), a newly established company led by individuals with past controversies linked to animal welfare violations, proposes constructing an 80-hectare facility housing 30,000 cynomolgus macaques. This endeavor sparks debate between mitigating a national shortage of research monkeys and upholding ethical treatment of animals.
This unprecedented facility aims to tackle a nationwide shortage of monkeys utilized in medical research. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) reported in 2023 that U.S. research was hindered due to difficulty acquiring monkeys. China, previously supplying over half of the nation's research monkeys, halted exports in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With no resumption in sight and competition from China for available monkeys globally, the situation has escalated.
However, SHM's proposal faces intense scrutiny. Animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, express profound concerns about the ethics of breeding such a vast number of animals solely for research purposes. Additionally, worries surround SHM's leadership, with critics pointing to past animal welfare violations associated with former executives' previous companies.
Furthermore, Bainbridge residents have vehemently opposed the project, citing potential issues like odor, waste management, and the risk of animal escapes. The local county commission, acknowledging these concerns, recently voted to reject the project, potentially jeopardizing tax breaks offered to SHM.
Kenneth Ramos, a key contributor to the NASEM report, acknowledges the potential benefit of SHM's facility in alleviating the primate shortage but seeks further clarity on their timeline and comprehensive plans. Researchers like JoAnne Flynn are desperate for a solution as the shortage significantly hinders their endeavors.
The future of this contentious proposition remains unclear. While SHM remains confident in their endeavor, navigating community opposition and securing regulatory approval pose significant challenges. This story underscores the intricate and often conflicting priorities within scientific advancement and ethical animal treatment, leaving the ultimate decision hanging in the balance.
