Drug research on macaques ends in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been instructed to halt all research on monkeys, according to Science. This ends a study on about 200 macaques used mainly for HIV prevention.

The decision was announced to staff by Sam Beyda, the center's new deputy director, who officials say is acting on behalf of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

It is an unprecedented move that would mark the first complete end to research on primates by a U.S. federal agency. It is unclear what will happen to the animals. Some may be moved to sanctuaries, others put down.

Although the CDC says it is looking for alternatives to animal research, scientists warn that ending the program is a serious loss.

Experts say macaques have been key to the development of drugs for HIV or hepatitis. Critics of the decision point out that research has been at the forefront of global HIV prevention, especially for women.

The White Coat Waste Project, which has been trying for years to end government support for animal research, welcomes the decision and sees it as a benchmark for other agencies.

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