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The role of the chimpanzee in research
ELSEVIER
Virus Research
34 (1994) 351-352
V irus Research
Book Review The Role of the Chimpanzee in Research. Edited by G. Eder, E. Kaiser and F.A. King, 1994, Karger, Basel, ISBN 3-8055-5850-3. $182.50 The chimpanzee, as man’s closest living relative, has proven to be of inestimable value as a laboratory animal. Its use, while limited, cannot be substituted for many purposes. This book is composed of the proceedings of a symposium held in Vienna in May 1992, on the occasion of the opening of the Hans Popper Primate Center, constructed by the Austrian pharmaceutical firm, Immuno AG. The Primate Center, designed as an experimental facility to hold chimpanzees was dedicated to Dr. Hans Popper, who has come to be known as “the father of hepatology”. The book begins with a welcome to the participants of the symposium, a brief overview of the facility design, and tributes to the memory of Dr. Popper. The broad spectrum of topics covered in the three major sections of the book range from the ethical issues involved in using the chimpanzee, and the captive breeding program, to comparative studies of psychology, reproductive physiology, pathology, and infectious disease research. Section I, ‘The Chimpanzee and Human Experimentation’, has several papers that focus on the relationship of human experimentation and animal experimentation. Principles that were developed after World War II as the Neuremberg Code, and that have been upheld by subsequent Assemblies of the World Medical Association, mandate the performance of animal research as a basis for subsequent human research. The political and ethical aspects of animal research are discussed, and regulations and guidelines that promote the well-being of research animals, particularly in the United States, are outlined. The section ends with a description of the human genome project and a discussion of the striking genetic similarities between the chimp and human, which leaves unexplained the physical differences between the two species. Section II, ‘Relationship between Chimpanzee and Human Development, Behavior and Reproduction’, includes papers comparing the neonatal behavior of man and chimpanzee, and the use of the chimpanzee as a model for human contraceptive research, reproduction and infertility, all emphasizing differences as well as similarities between the species. A study of responses to visual and auditory stimuli as measured by heart rate or event-related brain potentials demonstrates that application of these psychophysiologic measures may be used to explore the 0168-1702/94/$07.00 0 1994 Elsevier SSDI 0168-1702(94)00070-O
Science
B.V. All rights reserved
differences and similarities of the human and animal mind. The section ends with a description of the captive population of chimpanzees in the United States, and of the captive breeding program that has provided some assurance that this valuable resource will remain available for future generations. Section III, ‘The Role of the Chimpanzee in Biomedical Research’, is the longest of the three major sections of the book. It begins with an overview of the different types of research that have been done with the chimpanzee, and continues with a review of the spontaneous diseases and pathology of chimpanzees, particularly as it relates to the management of a captive breeding colony. Other papers cover the history and comparative pathogenesis of slow viral infections of the central nervous system; lentiviruses and HIV-l; and viral hepatitis B, D, and C. The use of the chimpanzee in development of vaccines and regimens for prophylaxis against parasitic diseases and hepatitis B is discussed, as well as their use for testing of recombinant vaccines. Other topics covered are the safety testing of bIood products and the development of appropriate methods for inactivation of infectious agents. The section ends with a paper describing the presence of antigens to hepatitis C and hepatitis E in the liver. The concluding paper points out the continuing need for the chimpanzee in research, and the need to assure a stable population of genetically diverse animals for future use. Since generation time is very long by the usual standards of more conventional laboratory animals, long range planning on the scaIe of 20 years is necessary to anticipate future research needs, and to identify sources of support. Collaboration and development of common goals between a variety of groups, including some not represented at the symposium, such as the zoological and conservation communities, will be necessary to reach these goals. Public education should emphasize that the chimpanzee plays a prominent role in the maintenance of public health, and that responsible management of the captive population indirectly benefits conservation efforts directed at the wild population as well. This book provides a good overview, along with a historical perspective, of the use of the chimpanzee in research. Reasons for the use of this animal in preference to other modeIs are presented, as are some of the problems associated with its use. I found it to be absorbing, and recommend it for those who are interested in primate research. James W. Ebert
Virus Research
34 (1994) 351-352
V irus Research
Book Review The Role of the Chimpanzee in Research. Edited by G. Eder, E. Kaiser and F.A. King, 1994, Karger, Basel, ISBN 3-8055-5850-3. $182.50 The chimpanzee, as man’s closest living relative, has proven to be of inestimable value as a laboratory animal. Its use, while limited, cannot be substituted for many purposes. This book is composed of the proceedings of a symposium held in Vienna in May 1992, on the occasion of the opening of the Hans Popper Primate Center, constructed by the Austrian pharmaceutical firm, Immuno AG. The Primate Center, designed as an experimental facility to hold chimpanzees was dedicated to Dr. Hans Popper, who has come to be known as “the father of hepatology”. The book begins with a welcome to the participants of the symposium, a brief overview of the facility design, and tributes to the memory of Dr. Popper. The broad spectrum of topics covered in the three major sections of the book range from the ethical issues involved in using the chimpanzee, and the captive breeding program, to comparative studies of psychology, reproductive physiology, pathology, and infectious disease research. Section I, ‘The Chimpanzee and Human Experimentation’, has several papers that focus on the relationship of human experimentation and animal experimentation. Principles that were developed after World War II as the Neuremberg Code, and that have been upheld by subsequent Assemblies of the World Medical Association, mandate the performance of animal research as a basis for subsequent human research. The political and ethical aspects of animal research are discussed, and regulations and guidelines that promote the well-being of research animals, particularly in the United States, are outlined. The section ends with a description of the human genome project and a discussion of the striking genetic similarities between the chimp and human, which leaves unexplained the physical differences between the two species. Section II, ‘Relationship between Chimpanzee and Human Development, Behavior and Reproduction’, includes papers comparing the neonatal behavior of man and chimpanzee, and the use of the chimpanzee as a model for human contraceptive research, reproduction and infertility, all emphasizing differences as well as similarities between the species. A study of responses to visual and auditory stimuli as measured by heart rate or event-related brain potentials demonstrates that application of these psychophysiologic measures may be used to explore the 0168-1702/94/$07.00 0 1994 Elsevier SSDI 0168-1702(94)00070-O
Science
B.V. All rights reserved
differences and similarities of the human and animal mind. The section ends with a description of the captive population of chimpanzees in the United States, and of the captive breeding program that has provided some assurance that this valuable resource will remain available for future generations. Section III, ‘The Role of the Chimpanzee in Biomedical Research’, is the longest of the three major sections of the book. It begins with an overview of the different types of research that have been done with the chimpanzee, and continues with a review of the spontaneous diseases and pathology of chimpanzees, particularly as it relates to the management of a captive breeding colony. Other papers cover the history and comparative pathogenesis of slow viral infections of the central nervous system; lentiviruses and HIV-l; and viral hepatitis B, D, and C. The use of the chimpanzee in development of vaccines and regimens for prophylaxis against parasitic diseases and hepatitis B is discussed, as well as their use for testing of recombinant vaccines. Other topics covered are the safety testing of bIood products and the development of appropriate methods for inactivation of infectious agents. The section ends with a paper describing the presence of antigens to hepatitis C and hepatitis E in the liver. The concluding paper points out the continuing need for the chimpanzee in research, and the need to assure a stable population of genetically diverse animals for future use. Since generation time is very long by the usual standards of more conventional laboratory animals, long range planning on the scaIe of 20 years is necessary to anticipate future research needs, and to identify sources of support. Collaboration and development of common goals between a variety of groups, including some not represented at the symposium, such as the zoological and conservation communities, will be necessary to reach these goals. Public education should emphasize that the chimpanzee plays a prominent role in the maintenance of public health, and that responsible management of the captive population indirectly benefits conservation efforts directed at the wild population as well. This book provides a good overview, along with a historical perspective, of the use of the chimpanzee in research. Reasons for the use of this animal in preference to other modeIs are presented, as are some of the problems associated with its use. I found it to be absorbing, and recommend it for those who are interested in primate research. James W. Ebert