r97041
was the 41st rhesus macaque born at the Wisconsin Regional
Primate Research Center (WRPRC) in 1997. Her mother, r90108, was
the 108th rhesus monkey born in 1990. Her father, r83012,
was the 12th rhesus born at WRPRC in 1983. At the time of this writing,
this makes her father eighteen years old; he has probably never
seen the sky.
r97041 was born
on May 15, 1997. The first time she was taken from her mother, two
weeks after she was born, she weighed exactly one half kilogram.
The records WRPRC grudgingly released are very sketchy. She has
been used, in some fashion, for research being conducted by the
RPRC director, Joe Kemnitz. This study is titled: “DNA Profiling
of Primates Used in Biomedical Research.” We know that she
has been used in the study: “Novel Therapeutic Approaches for
AIDS Utilizing an SIV Model,” and in another titled: “Ctl
based Vaccines for the AIDS Virus: Vaccination,” and in another
called: “Ctl Response in an SIV Infection in the Rhesus.”
On March 6, 2000 she was reported to be menstruating and vomiting.
As of August 2000, she was still SIV negative and was living with
another monkey, r96096.
On August 11, the entry reads: “Remark: Fight with r96096;
both a little scratched up. Remark: Still scratched up, but not
bleeding; getting along well with partner, r96096.
As of February 2, 2001, r97041 was still alive and described as
“thin.” A wound to the right side of her face was healing.
WRPRC director Joseph Kemnitz, wrote the cover letter accompanying
the brief record supplied regarding r97041. The body of his letter,
in its entirety, reads: This is in response for information as described
in your letter of earlier this year (copy enclosed). A copy of the
information you requested is enclosed herein.” He was asked
for a copy of all records pertaining to r97041.
Two possibilities present themselves. 1.) Perhaps WRPRC really does
record observations made concerning the monkeys in the facility
very infrequently. Only 12 observations of r97401 were recorded
during 2000. Other facilities maintain a daily log of observations.
It is possible that WRPRC is simply uninterested in recording, on
a daily, or even a weekly basis, whether the monkeys there are eating
or appear healthy. This is very possible. 2.) Maybe Joe Kemnitz
is simply a liar. Maybe there are many records available regarding
r97401 and Kemnitz just lied when he wrote that the records requested
[all records pertaining to r97401] were sent.
In the first case, WRPRC would be keeping far fewer records than
some of the larger industry facilities, while in the second case,
nothing they say can be believed. In either case, it is bothersome
to realize that they stay in business solely due to support from
the federal government – support derived entirely from our
tax dollars.
r97041, our thoughts are with you.
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