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A History of Primate Experimentation at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
The Aussie takes over, 1989-1997
1989 John P. Hearn replaces Robert Goy as director.
[Prior to coming to the US, Hearn had been conducting what must be some of the most obscure research ever conceived. Until he began experimenting on marmosets, he had been conducting experiments on Tammar wallabies, Macropus eugenii.]
Monkeys are being secretly taken from zoo, Hearn writes to Vilas Zoo director shortly after becoming director:
WISCONSIN REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
University of Wisconsin, 1223 Capitol Court / Madison, Wisconsin
53715-1299 FAX (608) 243-4031
April 18, 1990
Dr. David Hall, Director
Vilas Park Zoo
702 S. Randall Avenue
Madison, WI 53715
Dear Dr. Hall:
I confirm that the existing and future policies of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center are that any animals bred at the zoo are used in non-interventive behavioral research or for breeding purposes only.
We are very pleased to have the zoo facility and will do all in our power to make it an interesting display for the public as well as a significant Center for behavioral studies. We are addressing new ways in which the condition of the animals can be improved. In particular, with regard to the hair loss seen during the late winter months.
In addition, we are currently establishing field research in the conservation biology of stump-tail macaques. We hope to provide some illustrated posters of our studies concerning this endangered species in the wild. The posters will show how studies in captivity strengthen conservation efforts in the wild. I will of course consult with you in the preparation of these posters, which I hope would also be of interest to your Commission and to the public.
My predecessor, Dr. Goy wrote to you last year on June 15 and on July 17. Our policies were spelled out in detail in those letters and these policies will remain in place. In particular, Dr. Goy's letter of June 15 addresses this topic. You are aware that the Center, which is one of seven federally-funded Primate Research Centers in the USA, carries out basic research in biomedical and behavioral sciences relevant to both human and animal health and conservation.
With best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
John Hearn
Monkeys continue to be taken secretly from the zoo.
1990 Webley GE, Richardson MC, Smith CA, Masson GM, Hearn JP. Size distribution of luteal cells from pregnant and non-pregnant marmoset monkeys and a comparison of the morphology of marmoset luteal cells with those from the human corpus luteum.
1990 Hearn again writes to Vilas Zoo director:
WISCONSIN REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
University of Wisconsin, 1223 Capitol Court / Madison, Wisconsin 53715-1299 FAX (608) 243-4031
April 18, 1990
Dr. David Hall, Director
Vilas Park Zoo
702 S. Randall Avenue
Madison, WI 53715
Dear Dr. Hall:
I confirm that the existing and future policies of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center are that any animals bred at the zoo are used in non-interventive behavioral research or for breeding purposes only.
We are very pleased to have the zoo facility and will do all in our power to make it an interesting display for the public as well as a significant Center for behavioral studies. We are addressing new ways in which the condition of the animals can be improved. In particular, with regard to the hair loss seen during the late winter months.
In addition, we are currently establishing field research in the conservation biology of stump-tail macaques. We hope to provide some illustrated posters of our studies concerning this endangered species in the wild. The posters will show how studies in captivity strengthen conservation efforts in the wild. I will of course consult with you in the preparation of these posters, which I hope would also be of interest to your Commission and to the public.
My predecessor, Dr. Goy wrote to you last year on June 15 and on July 17. Our policies were spelled out in detail in those letters and these policies will remain in place. In particular, Dr. Goy's letter of June 15 addresses this topic. You are aware that the Center, which is one of seven federally-funded Primate Research Centers in the USA, carries out basic research in biomedical and behavioral sciences relevant to both human and animal health and conservation.
With best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
John Hearn
Monkeys continue to be taken secretly from the zoo.
1991 Webley GE, Hodges JK, Given A, Hearn JP. Comparison of the luteolytic action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist and cloprostenol, and the ability of human chorionic gonadotrophin and melatonin to override their luteolytic effects in the marmoset monkey.
1992 Webley GE, Knight PG, Hearn JP. Stimulation of immunoreactive inhibin production by preimplantation embryos during early pregnancy in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus).
1993 Seshagiri PB, Hearn JP. In-vitro development of in-vivo produced rhesus monkey morulae and blastocysts to hatched, attached, and post-attached blastocyst stages: morphology and early secretion of chorionic gonadotrophin.
1994 Seshagiri PB, Terasawa E, Hearn JP. The secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone by peri-implantation embryos of the rhesus monkey: comparison with the secretion of chorionic gonadotrophin.
1994 Thomson JA, Kalishman J, Hearn JP. Nonsurgical uterine stage preimplantation embryo collection from the common marmoset.
1995 Thomson JA, Kalishman J, Golos TG, Durning M, Harris CP, Becker RA, Hearn JP. Isolation of a primate embryonic stem cell line.
1996 Thomson JA, Kalishman J, Golos TG, Durning M, Harris CP, Hearn JP. Pluripotent cell lines derived from common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) blastocysts. Biol Reprod. 1996 Aug;55(2):254-9.
1997 Hearn leaves university under cloud of scandal involving allegations of sexual misconduct, assault of female researcher, and very large unpaid expenses charged to university associated with overseas phone calls. Vilas Monkey scandal breaks in local papers.
Hearn disappears, turns up in Zurich, and finally reestablishes himself as an academic at the University of Sydney, Australia, where he remains today.
1997 Joeseph Kemnitz takes over as acting director. |