Oregon Legislators Face Bill to Close OHSU Primate Research Center Amid Abuse Allegations

Animal rights activists and legislators are urging Oregon lawmakers to amend Senate Bill 181 to include a ban on painful research involving primates at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, extending protections currently proposed for dogs and cats. The bill's chief backer, Rep. David Gomberg, supports the amendment, highlighting concerns that the primate center may become a liability amid federal budget cuts to animal research. Critics, including former primate technicians and organizations like PETA, cite numerous allegations of mistreatment and abuse at the center, including monkeys living in isolation, injuries, and deaths caused by negligence. OHSU defends the center, asserting its research saves human lives and that animals receive excellent care with pain relief, though this has not quelled public and activist pressure. More than 1,600 people have submitted written testimony, and thousands have signed petitions calling for the closure of the primate facility by 2029. The debate reflects growing ethical concerns over primate research and its scientific necessity in the modern era.