Questions about the scientific research conducted by BPRC

Why does BPRC receive government support?

Non-human primates are definitely not used for biomedical research as a matter of course. Quite the contrary, actually.

They are only used if no suitable alternatives are available. However, for the time being, this type of research will continue to be needed to eradicate serious diseases. For this reason, the government uses services provided by specialist primate research centres, such as BPRC, where loving care for laboratory animals and science go hand in hand.

Can I come and see for myself what BPRC is like?

You are welcome to come and see us at BPRC. Upon request (through e-mail), we will give schools, students and other interested parties a tour of our premises.

(Many reports of such visits can be found on the Internet.) We often receive visits from ministers, state secretaries and other policy makers, who are welcome guests at BPRC. In addition, we have regularly scheduled open days for locals and family members and acquaintances of our employees. Our centre receives over 600 visitors per year.

What is BPRC's organisational structure like?

One specialist department is responsible for looking after the animals used in our experiments and ensuring their welfare. The scientific research departments engage in the biomedical research and pre-clinical development required to ensure that promising new medications can be safely administered to human test subjects.

The people working at these departments are specialists in the fields of virology, neurobiology & aging, parasitology, genetics, ethology and alternative methods. BPRC employs well over a hundred people.

To what kinds of results has BPRC contributed?

BPRC played an important part in the development of safe organ and bone marrow transplantation protocols. A vaccine against corona and a Hepatitis B vaccine that are now used worldwide have been tested within BPRC among other places.

Research conducted at BPRC has significantly improved our understanding of diseases such as AIDS, arthritis and malaria. Our recent breakthroughs include the development and refinement of models used to treat Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and tuberculosis. In addition, BPRC studies on alternative methods have demonstrated new perspectives that will help us replace, refine and reduce animal testing. Another advantage of the tests carried out at BPRC, which should not be underestimated, is the fact that potentially 'unsafe' medications and therapies are discovered at an early stage.

Why do we continue to need primates for biomedical research?

To this day, clinical trials cannot be held without prior animal testing. After all, cells in a Petri dish can behave completely differently from cells in a living body.

In a small minority of these studies, primates are the only animals suitable for experimentation. In the Netherlands the Experiments on Animals Act stipulates that primates can only be used for experimentation purposes if no other method is available.

Genetically, primates are the species most similar to human beings; rhesus macaques are genetically close to 93% identical to humans. The chart below shows the various levels of genetic kinship. Certain types of primates are the only species which can be infected by the same viruses and/or parasites as humans. In addition, the latest generation of medications and therapies is highly specific and is only effective in humans or non-human primates. This means that primates are more suited to test the safety and efficacy of new vaccines, medications and treatment methods than any other species. We do not use primates lightly. We always weigh our options carefully before deciding on a primate.

The fact that governmental organisations and recognised charities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation support our research proves that we are creating added value for public health.

Are there viable alternatives to animal testing?

The Dutch government does not allow clinical trials featuring human subjects unless the experimental method in question has been tested on animals first. While we perform those tests, we contemplate methods allowing us to conduct tests without the use of any animals.

Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. If any alternative methods are available, we will use them. We have two reasons to do so. First, it means we do not have to make any animals uncomfortable, and secondly, the alternatives are cheaper. Unfortunately, we have not yet advanced far enough in the development of alternative research methods to be able to solve all the complex research questions. For the sake of clarity, it should be added that research centres like BPRC require authorisation granted by an ethics committee prior to embarking on any study. Among other things, this committee will assess whether all available avenues for reasonable alternatives have been explored.

How does BPRC define 'biomedical research'?

Scientific research serving medicine. Biomedical research forms the basis for the development of new medications.

Biomedical research helps us obtain knowledge which will give rise to new ideas. All of this will help us eradicate the serious diseases from which people may suffer.

Why does biomedical research typically take a lot of time to be completed?

Conducting research on diseases can be compared to assembling a 4,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Every study and every publication forms one piece of the puzzle.

Pathogens and pathomechanisms depend on a huge number of factors that may affect their outcome. It takes many years to test every aspect and ensure that a medication is effective. In addition, pathogens mutate, causing us to have to look for new solutions. Refer to our Annual Scientific Report for an overview of the most recent developments.

Are the studies conducted by BPRC subject to proper assessment?

You bet! Our studies are thoroughly assessed well before we can even begin conducting them.

Before embarking on a study, our specialists are required to submit each study proposal to the Animal Experiments Committee (DEC), which will then issue an independent assessment of the proposal. Studies can only be conducted if the Committee issues a positive decision, and if the Central Authority for Scientific Procedures on Animals (CCD) then issues a permit. The quality of our research programmes is safeguarded in three ways. These are:

supervision by a scientific advisory board, comprised of experienced scientists affiliated with prominent Dutch universities;
independent assessment of study results by academics active in the same field, also known as 'peer-reviewed publications';
audits by scientists, i.e. general on-site inspections of BPRC's scientific research programme, carried out by an independent party.

What is BPRC doing to promote research that does not involve animal testing?

Everybody wants to reduce the number of studies involving animal testing. We do, too.

For this reason, we are conducting a lot of research on alternative testing methods, based on the principles of reduction, refinement and replacement.
At BPRC, research geared towards the development of methods not involving animal testing has been assigned to a special independent research group. In addition, we promote and support the use of alternative methods in all our individual research units.

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Questions about the scientific research conducted by BPRC

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