A Threshold Standard for Regulating Invasive Nonhuman Primate Research in the Age of the Major Brain Projects

Abstract

On account of their phylogenetic similarity to humans, nonhuman primates (NHPs) play an indispensable role in both basic and translational neuroscience research. The recent establishment of a number of brain projects to map the brain and to discover new therapies for brain disease and disorders has focused attention on the use of NHPs, particularly since some of these projects have led to an increase in the use of NHPs in research (Australian Brain Alliance, Blue Brain Project (Switzerland), BRAIN Initiative (USA), Brain/MINDS (Japan) Canada Brain Research Fund, China Brain Project, Cuban Human Brain Mapping Project, Israel Brain Technologies, Korean Brain Initiative, Latin American Brain Mapping Network). At present, there is considerable variety in the national and international regulations governing NHP use. In order for the projects to gain broad public support and to provide adequate protection for NHPs, it is important that the regulations are harmonized.