Oregon residents advocate for primate inclusion in SB 181 at legislative hearing

During a recent meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, community members voiced strong support for Senate Bill 181, which aims to enhance animal welfare by restricting certain types of research. A significant theme emerged as multiple residents urged the inclusion of primates in the bill, arguing that it would save public funds and animal lives.

Residents from across Oregon, including Medford and Portland, expressed their concerns about the ethical implications of using primates in research. Jesse Keys, a Portland resident, highlighted that the National Institutes of Health had ceased funding experiments on chimpanzees due to their ineffectiveness for human health, suggesting that similar reasoning should apply to other primates. Mary Schroeder from Salem echoed this sentiment, stating that shutting down laboratories that conduct such experiments would represent a significant step forward for science and ethics.

Cirrus Lawson, also from Portland, emphasized that the bill aligns with the views of many Oregonians who oppose experiments on monkeys. He urged the committee to listen to public sentiment and amend the bill to include protections for primates. The discussions reflected a growing awareness and concern among residents regarding animal welfare in research settings.

As the committee continues to deliberate on Senate Bill 181, the push for amendments to include primates signals a broader movement towards more humane treatment of animals in scientific research. The outcomes of these discussions could have lasting implications for animal rights and public health policies in Oregon.