Japanese macaques at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center in Beaverton, Ore., April 17, 2025.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
In the U.S., there are about 100,000 monkeys, baboons, and other primates living in captivity to support scientific research. About 5,000 of them are at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center. That’s where researchers do experiments on monkeys to try to get clear data about things like cannabis use during pregnancy, and to find cures for diseases like HIV. Animal rights activists have argued for decades that the center should be closed. And they’re gaining momentum with support from Oregon’s governor and some lawmakers. In addition, scientists who oppose using animals in research argue that the practice has become obsolete and is hindering, not helping the effort to find cures.
Today, we’re bringing back our episode about the Oregon National Primate Research Center because just a few weeks ago in January, OHSU’s board of directors had a meeting to hear about what it would take to close the center or significantly reduce the size of its primate population.
OPB health reporter Amelia Templeton shares what she learned from a visit to the Oregon National Primate Research Center and conversations with a lot of smart people on all sides of this complex topic.
Listen to all episodes of The Evergreen podcast here.
