An Opinion on non-human primates testing in Europe

The Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) responded to a mandate from the European Commission on ‘The need for non-human primates in biomedical research, production and testing of products and devices’. An overview of this Opinion is presented. The Opinion focuses on the approaches aimed at the replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) of the use of non-human primates in scientific experimentation in the areas of 1) development and safety testing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, 2) treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, 3) neuroscience, 4) ophthalmology and 5) (xeno)transplantation. While it is not possible to predict how long it will be before the use of NHPs in Europe are phased-out, the Opinion summarizes the research gaps and provides recommendations such as alternative methods, training, improvement of techniques and protocols, sharing of knowledge and removal of barriers. Finally, research needs are given.