PETA’s ‘10 Worst Laboratories’ List

10. Columbia University
A recent PETA investigation into Columbia University’s primate labs revealed a shocking lack of basic veterinary care for monkeys and baboons, including the fact that animals were left in their cages while sick and dying and were denied post-surgical care and painkillers. What’s worse, the studies that these animals were used in did not even purport to examine scientifically useful questions, but instead examined such ridiculous topics as the effects of stress on the menstrual cycle and the effects of massive cocaine and nicotine exposure on pregnant monkeys. Find out the details of our investigation at ColumbiaCruelty.com.

When confronted with charges of abuse and neglect, Columbia failed to take action and instead protected the guilty researchers. The university also came to the defense of its celebrity researcher, Dr. Mehmet Oz, after the USDA confirmed that Oz allowed an entire litter of puppies to be killed by cardiac puncture—a method so cruel that it is condemned by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Additionally, Oz’s surgical research on dogs has been investigated following whistleblower complaints about sloppy experiments and substandard veterinary care. The animals tortured in Oz’s research are some of the more than 250 dogs used in painful and distressing tests each year at Columbia. In 2004, Columbia finally paid the USDA $2,000 to settle several violations, including the instance of puppy killing.

The university’s cruel studies continue today and include disturbing experiments in which Columbia psychiatrist Suzette Evans is using $500,000 in yearly government grants to study the effects of cocaine and heroin on monkeys’ menstrual cycles. Her drug-testing procedures involve use of chair restraints, drug injections, and blood draws—all of which are highly stressful for monkeys. Even if these ridiculous studies produced data that could translate to human women—a big “if”—what practical value would this information have?

Columbia is one of the richest and most powerful universities in the world, yet it refuses to spare the time or resources to provide pain relief to injured animals or properly euthanize “unwanted” ones. Instead, Columbia uses its vast resources to fight federal enforcement of the AWA. For example, Columbia has the dubious distinction of being the only university to ever have its animal research facilities shut down by the NIH because of animal welfare violations. Following this incident, Columbia used its enormous political influence to effectively strip the NIH of its power to enforce animal welfare statutes.

Please write, call, fax, or e-mail the head of the university and politely ask him to stop these atrocities:

Lee Bollinger, President
Columbia University
535 W. 116th St.  
202 Low Library  
Mail Code 4309
New York, NY 10027
212-854-9970  
212-854-9973 (fax)
bollinger@columbia.edu