Monkey Deaths at Harvard

The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it has fined Harvard Medical School for animal welfare violations at two of its animal research labs, the New England Primate Research Center and the animal facility at Longwood Medical Area. Among the violations: One monkey was given an overdose of an anesthetic, which caused him to die from liver failure. Another monkey died after being strangled by a chain attached to a toy in his cage—a toy designed to offer some “enrichment” to the captive animal’s life. And two monkeys suffered dehydration after employees failed to notice that an automatic watering device in their cage had malfunctioned. One of the monkeys had to be euthanized. Two months later, another monkey had to be euthanized after employees forgot to provide a water bottle. All four of these deaths suggest an unconscionable level of neglect and indifference among the animals’ so-called caregivers.

Harvard has been fined $24,036, which is relatively steep as fines for welfare violations go. Animal activists consider the fine grossly insufficient, considering the severity of the violations.

In my opinion, a medical school should be teaching compassion; and this should include compassion towards all forms of life. As an alumna of Harvard, I find these welfare violations particularly upsetting. All I can say is: Harvard, Shame on you.