Feds clear OHSU after monkey mistreatment claims

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cleared Oregon Health & Science University of charges that medical research monkeys were mistreated.

In November, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a complaint with the agency over the treatment of monkeys at the Oregon National Primate Research Center operated by OHSU. Scientists defended their record of animal care.

The group said it had documented violations of federal animal protection laws by sending someone to work undercover for four months as a technician at the center.

In response, the USDA conducted a two-day investigation and found OHSU in compliance.

PETA's director of research, Kathy Guillermo, said the group does not believe the report represents the USDA'S entire investigation because such reports often take months to a year to complete. PETA is asking for the information used to complete the report.

It was the second time in the past seven years an animal activist group has placed what it described as an "investigator" in the primate center. In 2000, an employee of In Defense of Animals took a job at the primate center and then made claims of mistreatment. In that case, a two-month USDA inspection cleared the center of wrongdoing.

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On the Net:

USDA inspection report and other primate center information: www.ohsu.edu/primatecenterfacts

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)