This morning we woke up bright and early to drive to the University of California, Davis. On their campus is one of several National Primate Research Centers in the U.S.. Dion, who planned this trip, is interested in primatology as a career. We got in touch with Kathy West who offered us a free educational outing to their facility. They talked to us about all of the research that is being done there and all of the incredible breakthroughs they've made. For example, as of yesterday they came out with a publication showing the positive effects of a new drug being used to prevent HIV transmission from person to person. They are also in the process of developing an autism treatment by injecting oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone in monogamous species, into patients. Another research study they are known for is their study on the effects of ingesting bpa's by eating or drinking out of plastic containers. There is a positive correlation between that and breast cancer and other health issues particularly associated with women. Because of this study, the kids have been asking incessantly if they can drink the bottled water I've been giving them! I'm glad to hear they are conscious about their health, but they will have to revamp their water drinking habits when we get back, cause we only have plastic! None of these discoveries would have been made without using primates as research subjects. On a brighter note they did say that only 2% of animals used for research are non-human primates. Most of them are rats and mice.
At the end of our visit we did a tram tour of the breeding facility where we were introduced to their macaques and titi monkeys. It was a very educational experience.
We are now back at the campground, a little earlier than expected because one of us has the flu... And that would be me! So I'm signing off to get some rest. I need this to be gone by tomorrow!
Oh, I don't have pictures because they wouldn't let us take any. Apparently they get harassed by animal activists who in the past have taken pictures, gone home to photoshop the picture in a negative light, and then post them on the Internet. So I don't have a picture. But I can say that those monkeys were darn cute, and had a healthy and safe living environment.
At the end of our visit we did a tram tour of the breeding facility where we were introduced to their macaques and titi monkeys. It was a very educational experience.
We are now back at the campground, a little earlier than expected because one of us has the flu... And that would be me! So I'm signing off to get some rest. I need this to be gone by tomorrow!
Oh, I don't have pictures because they wouldn't let us take any. Apparently they get harassed by animal activists who in the past have taken pictures, gone home to photoshop the picture in a negative light, and then post them on the Internet. So I don't have a picture. But I can say that those monkeys were darn cute, and had a healthy and safe living environment.