Yesterday, The Detroit News published FBR and NABR President Matthew R. Bailey’s op-ed on why research monkeys are necessary to advance medical therapies. Mr. Bailey discusses that “scientists are concerned that new COVID-19 variants popping up around the globe will evolve and could potentially thwart the treatments they’ve developed. Vaccines have proven effective against them.” “However, Brazil’s P.1 variant, which has been detected in many U.S. states, is particularly concerning, since it can re-infect people who have already had other versions of the coronavirus,” he continued.

Mr. Bailey also mentions that “researchers are racing to develop new coronavirus vaccines and treatments, but many of them are running into a problem — a shortage of monkeys. Unless the government acts to preserve our scientists’ access to nonhuman primates, medical advancement could grind to a halt.”  The importance of animal models for medical research is stressed throughout this op-ed. As Bailey states, “The world looks to the United States as a leader in medical innovation. If our scientists are to continue producing lifesaving therapies as they have for the currently identified COVID-19 variants and other serious diseases, America will need to address our shortage of research monkeys.”

Full article can be read on FBR’s website: http://go.pardot.com/e/858023/hew-bailey-detroit-news-covid-/8sbsz/182090825?h=SewtRATVkEswwqs3lGVU6MPIpsmcTAX10ovVFLv3_CA