NASA may give monkeys potentially deadly doses of gamma radiation

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposes testing gamma radiation on a group of squirrel monkeys, according to a statement posted by Brookhaven National Lab (BNL).

“Squirrel monkeys would receive a level of radiation similar to what an astronaut would encounter on a Mars mission,” the BNL statement explains.

“The monkeys would then live out the remainder of their natural lifetime at McLean [Hospital], while researchers there would observe them for subtle changes in behavior and performance.”

Researchers from McLean Hospital, a psychiatric facility of Harvard Medical School, would conduct the study at a NASA facility on the Brookhaven Lab premises.

Opposition

Several animal protection groups oppose the study. In Defense of Animals (IDA) and International Primate Protection League (IPPL) have filed a complaint with NASA and BNL.

“NASA’s proposed experiments would inundate these tiny monkeys—only a foot tall—with one massive burst of gamma radiation equal to a three-year journey to Mars and back,” said IDA researcher Tony Carr in a media release.

“Since the 1950s, thousands of primates have been exposed to various dosages of radiation including radio frequency, microwave, X-ray, gamma, electron, proton, neutron and other particle radiation,” said Carr. “Studies have already shown that gamma radiation can cause depressive behavior, immobility, hyperirritability, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, open sores, skin hemorrhages, and even death.

“Previous research has also proven that animals of different species—even of different strains of the same species—react differently to radiation, which calls into question the experiments’ scientific value in advancing protection for human astronauts.”

Celebrities Speak Out

IDA reports that celebrities including Woody Harrelson, Zachary Quinto, Alicia Silverstone, James Cromwell, Allison Janney, Kristen Bell, Emily Deschanel, and Elizabeth Perkins have signed on to an IDA-drafted letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., and BNL Director Dr. Samuel Aronson.

“NASA has already committed $1.75 million in taxpayer money to the experiments,” said Carr. “NASA wants BNL—a lab run by the U.S. Department of Energy—to conduct the radiation portion of the experiments. BNL has not yet decided to proceed. Experiments are being reviewed by BNL’s safety, science, and animal welfare committees.”

The BNL statement adds, “All studies at the NASA facility require approval by multiple review committees.”

To sign on to the IDA’s letter:

https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1371

To comment on the proposed NASA squirrel monkey experiments:

Brookhaven National Lab
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
Tel. (631) 344-8000

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