{
  "id": 5124213,
  "title": "Dutch primate center awaits October animal research debate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/dutch-primate-center-awaits-october-animal-research-debate",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T16:38:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Transmitter",
    "slug": "the-transmitter",
    "url": "https://www.thetransmitter.org/animal-models/dutch-primate-center-awaits-october-animal-research-debate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands is preparing for a debate on animal research in October 2025. Last October, the Dutch Parliament passed a budget that would have phased out federal funding for animal experiments at the center by 2030. However, following a change of government, the BPRC was able to avoid the phase-out. The center, which houses about 1,000 macaques, is a major primate research facility in Europe, studying infectious diseases, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and the neurological effects of COVID-19. The BPRC is required to gradually reallocate its primate research funding to non-animal research by 2030, increasing the proportion of government funding devoted to the development of new non-animal models from 17 percent to 30 percent. Despite the recent reversal of the phase-out, the center's director, Merel Langelaar, acknowledges that the future remains uncertain as future parliament members could potentially reintroduce funding restrictions. The BPRC has engaged in lobbying efforts to maintain its research activities, but scientists admit that the focus has been somewhat diverted from advancing their scientific work. The debate on animal research in October is part of a regular discussion about animal welfare that occurs twice a year. While the Netherlands and other European countries have shown support for phasing out animal research, there is no strong political will currently advocating for its complete elimination.",
  "summary": "Science is forging ahead at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands, following a reversal of last year’s mandate to phase out primate studies. But researchers aren’t sure how long the reprieve will last.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dutch Biomedical Primate Research Centre awaits October debate on animal research.",
    "BPRC houses about 1,000 macaques studying diseases and COVID-19 effects.",
    "Centre must reallocate funding to non-animal research by 2030, 30% target."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}