CDC Seeks Sanctuary for 130 Macaques as Animal-Testing Exit Leaves $4 Million Question
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 1
CDC Seeks Sanctuary for 130 Macaques as Animal-Testing Exit Leaves $4 Million Question
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 1
Summary
Ten months after deciding to end primate testing, the CDC still has not found a permanent sanctuary for about 130 rhesus and pig-tailed macaques used in HIV-related studies.
A June contract search has had its bidding deadline extended several times, and the agency requires a site where no research or breeding will take place.
Alpha Genesis said it submitted two proposals: it would take the monkeys essentially for free if breeding were allowed, or house them in a sanctuary for roughly $4 million or more.
HHS has not said how much it is willing to spend, a question that could grow as the Trump administration pushes broader cuts to federally funded animal testing.
The CDC colony is small beside the 18,000-20,000 animals at the seven NIH-backed National Primate Research Centers, which may face similar retirement pressures as downsizing spreads.