Urgent Call to Suspend Primate Imports for Research

A coalition of advocates, including U.S. Representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Dina Titus, along with actress Edie Falco, is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to immediately suspend the importation of monkeys for research purposes. This call to action is driven by concerns over public health, biosecurity, and ethical treatment of animals, particularly highlighted by the case of a macaque named Punch, who recently gained attention after being found abandoned in a dumpster in Miami.

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The United States has a long history of importing tens of thousands of primates annually for research, funded by taxpayer dollars through federal permits, inspections, and quarantine facilities. However, the efficacy of these experiments in translating into meaningful human health benefits has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the scientific justification for such practices is increasingly questionable, raising ethical and health-related concerns.

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The importation of primates poses significant risks to public health. Many of these animals are sourced from densely populated export farms where diseases can spread rapidly. Imported primates have been documented to carry dangerous viruses, drug-resistant bacteria, and parasites. The recent incident involving Punch underscores the potential for containment failures, as the monkey was unaccounted for during transport and later found in a waste facility. Such lapses in custody and containment can lead to pathogens escaping into the environment, posing risks not only to human health but also to livestock and wildlife.

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The coalition of advocates emphasizes that the current system is fundamentally flawed, stating, "We cannot, in good conscience, continue importing pathogen-carrying primates through a system that repeatedly fails at the basics of custody, containment and disease control." They support Kennedy's commitment to review primate imports but urge him to take immediate action to suspend them, arguing that this would mitigate biosecurity risks and protect both workers and communities.

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Opponents of the current importation practices argue that continuing to import primates is indefensible on multiple grounds, including public health, scientific validity, and fiscal responsibility. They contend that the system not only endangers human health but also subjects animals to inhumane treatment, as many are captured or bred solely for experimentation.

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As the call for suspension gains momentum, the future of primate imports for research may hinge on the response from Secretary Kennedy. Advocates are hopeful that immediate action will be taken to address the systemic issues associated with these imports, thereby ensuring better protection for both public health and animal welfare.

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• “We cannot, in good conscience, continue importing pathogen-carrying primates through a system that repeatedly fails at the basics of custody, containment and disease control.” — Rep. Nicole Malliotakis

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• “Continuing to import primates is indefensible on public health, scientific and fiscal grounds.” — Rep. Dina Titus

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• “The least we can do is make sure no more animals like him are shipped around the world to suffer and die.” — Edie Falco, Actress and Honorary Board Member of PETA

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