The Fate of cj0223

from the files of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center (WRPRC)

cj0223 was a male Common Marmoset, Callithrax jacchus, a species native to northeast Brazil. He was born on Oct. 16, 1991 and acquired by WRPRC from the now defunct Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP) on Nov. 4, 1992. He was killed at WRPRC on Sept. 21, 2001 having spent all of his nearly ten years of life imprisoned at research labs.

At autopsy cj0223 had chronic kidney inflammation as well as inflamed bowels from lymphocytic enteritis and intestinal amyloidosis lesions associated with chronic wasting illness. It seems that this latter condition is epidemic in the marmosets confined at WRPRC. In the wild, marmosets include tree sap as an important component of their diet (sap is probably vital for Common Marmosets), a dietary requirement which research labs have difficulty providing. This deficiency may account for the chronic digestive illness rife among the marmosets held captive in our nation's labs.

While at WRPRC, cj0223 suffered through a variety of research experiments. Four months after his arrival there, the little fellow was part of a study titled "Formation of Social Groups in Marmosets." In the wild, marmosets have a chance to escape from aggressive group members; caged monkeys do not. Shortly after he entered the project, cj0223 sustained bite wounds on his forehead, foot, ankle, fingers, forearm and elbow.

Subsequently, he was a test subject in research investigating "Hypothalamic Mechanisms Mediating Social Suppression of Reproduction." For this a vivisector surgically implanted a catheter in his internal jugular vein which required repeated flushing and two re-suturings after the incision opened. He endured the catheter for nine days. Two months later he was put in the social group study again for seven months.

In mid-1996, he was used in a project titled, "Clinical Blood or Surgery" during which he endured several large blood draws. It was during this time that the eye problems that would plague him for the rest of his life were first observed. The condition was treated repeatedly with antibiotics and steroids but ultimately led to cataract surgery on both eyes and possible blindness before he was killed.

Despite his eye condition, for the next five years vivisectors continued to use him in additional studies like "In Vitro Bioassay for Luteinizing Hormone", "Absence of Estrogen-Depletion Bone Loss in Marmosets", and, "Bone Mass and Aging in Marmosets." Also, he continued to be used in the social group study where he received yet another bite wound, this time to his face and for numerous blood draws including one that was so massive that he had to be treated with iron and fluid replacement therapy.

Between 1997 and 2000, he was placed in WRPRC's marmoset breeding colony and sired 10 offspring - a joy had they been born in the wild, but under the circumstances only continuing the legacy of confinement and pain for another generation of marmosets.

During his nearly nine years of confinement at WRPRC, cj0223 was subjected at least 39 blood draws and was given general anesthesia (ketamine or saffan) 11 times either as part of research projects (once for the removal of cerebrospinal fluid) or to treat illness. Also, WRPRC's records indicate that cj0223 was moved to a different cage at least 40 times inhibiting any chance of enjoying some comfort from familiar surroundings.

The final notation in cj0223's historical record on the date of his death reads "… reluctant to prolong treatment of aged animal with multiple physical abnormalities"

Many medical historians and researchers continue to question the scientific validity of biomedical research using animals. All disease is a disruption of cellular and biochemical processes which vary enough from species to species, even those that are similar externally, so as to make extrapolation to the human condition dangerously misleading. Furthermore, much of the research conducted is repetitive and/or unnecessary except to provide income and notoriety for vivisectors. Is knowledge about "Hypothalamic Mechanisms Mediating Social Suppression of Reproduction" so important that researchers feel justified in imprisoning and harming primates to gain it?

In addition, animal species routinely used in research have the capacity to feel pain, to enjoy pleasure, to think and act purposefully, and to prepare for future events. In short, they have degrees of self-awareness and lives that are important to them beyond any utilitarian purposes they may have for us. To incarcerate them and subject them to painful research, even if such research may afford some benefit to humans, is unethical and immoral. If we are willing to subject innocent creatures to pain and agony in and attempt to improve our health, are we worth the effort?

Rest in peace cj0223.