Recently released footage from Peta has unveiled, for the first time, experiments conducted at the University of Washington’s National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC). This footage shows newborn monkeys being taken from their mothers and subjected to neurological tests after being exposed to a neurotoxin during pregnancy.
Documents reveal that some of the infant monkeys, apparently as young as two days old, were part of a study involving domoic acid—a toxin generated by marine algae that can accumulate in shellfish and poses health risks to humans. These experiments were conducted over a six-year period until 2020.
The recordings depict monkeys fitted with electrodes on their heads, undergoing tests intended to assess potential brain damage caused by prenatal exposure to domoic acid. The baby monkeys seem distressed, clutching blankets, sucking their fingers, screeching, and jerking while experimenters shave their heads and evaluate their reflexes and memory.
These young macaques were bred specifically at the University of Washington’s Infant Primate Research Laboratory for this research on the developmental effects of domoic acid. During the study, researchers administered daily doses of the toxin to 32 pregnant macaques. After birth, 28 infants were separated from their mothers, bottle-fed, and placed in incubators; they were then kept individually from three weeks old.
Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, Peta’s chief science adviser on primate issues, commented on this situation, stating, “These monkeys are so young they still have the distinctive black fur of newborn macaques, yet instead of clinging to their mothers, they grasp blankets on metal tables.”
In their natural environment, macaques are usually found in tight social groups, relying heavily on maternal care for their social and behavioral development, according to Dr. Malene Hansen, who specializes in long-tailed macaques. She argues that separating infant macaques from their mothers for research is unethical, stating simply, “It is unethical to conduct research that separates infant macaques from their mothers. Period.”
The WaNPRC responded, acknowledging the importance of animal well-being in research. They emphasized that maternal relationships and early social development are crucial for nonhuman primate welfare, stating, “Our experienced veterinary and animal care personnel have specialized expertise in primate care, including nursery rearing.”
This research program, which ran from 2014 to 2020, received over $4.2 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with some experiments extending over several years. Peta claims that the monkeys were euthanized after the studies concluded.
The NIH maintains that it takes the welfare of laboratory animals seriously. It emphasizes that laws and policies are in place to ensure minimal animal use while prioritizing their well-being.
The WaNPRC has stated that there are currently no ongoing studies involving infant monkeys, although they do have protocols for such research. Jones-Engel emphasizes the lack of moral justification for these practices, highlighting the significant harm caused by maternal separation on the infants’ development and physiology.
Having worked as a primate scientist at the University of Washington for 17 years, Jones-Engel’s shift to activism has been documented in a film titled “Sentient.” She argues that the recently aired footage sheds light on the often-hidden realities of primate research and raises a crucial question: why do these facilities continue to operate?
Peta advocates for the closure of all seven US National Primate Research Centers, viewing the released footage as evidence of the suffering involved in such research.
This footage originates from a research program active since 1971 at the University of Washington, amidst an ongoing dispute between Peta and the university concerning the management of public-records requests. A 2020 lawsuit revealed that the university had destroyed numerous records, including photos and videos, which the court deemed a violation of the law.
These recently released videos, filmed between 2017 and 2019, were provided to Peta in response to a records request.
The WaNPRC claims that their studies have advanced knowledge regarding the effects of prenatal domoic acid exposure on learning and memory, pointing out that these findings are pertinent to public health. However, there appears to be little evidence that this research has resulted in changes to health recommendations.
Following the conclusion of the domoic acid studies in 2020, records indicate that the WaNPRC continued to breed, purchase, and use monkeys, including infants, for studies on viruses like Epstein-Barr and HIV.
In a 2021 experiment, 25 infant rhesus macaques were infected with SIV—closely related to HIV—as part of a study exploring why some infants develop AIDS more rapidly than others. The distressing conditions of these baby monkeys, who experienced chronic diarrhea and significant weight loss, culminated in their euthanasia for autopsy. Another study involved separating 10 infant monkeys from their mothers shortly after birth to test a new Epstein-Barr vaccine.
While proponents argue that the biological similarities between humans and nonhuman primates make monkeys valuable for studying human diseases, the decades-long history of animal research has yet to yield an approved vaccine for HIV.
Dr. Jarrod Bailey, a research scientist, contends that the biological differences can hinder the development of effective treatments for human diseases. He asserts that “we pay the price in failed treatments; monkeys pay with their lives,” suggesting that a transition away from using monkeys in research would ultimately benefit all primates, including humans.
The University of Washington insists on its commitment to refining and reducing animal studies through innovative technologies and better animal care, although they acknowledge that some complex scientific inquiries necessitate animal research.
In the US, federal agencies are progressively working towards minimizing animal testing, leaning on new approaches like organ-on-a-chip technologies and computer modeling. The NIH is also committed to investing in human-based research alternatives. However, the usage of primates in research remains prevalent; over 106,000 monkeys were housed in US facilities in 2025, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year, alongside the importation of more than 32,000 primates from Asia and Africa for laboratory use from 2025 to 2026.
