Portland, OR - Two uninvited activists dressed as imprisoned monkeys will make a surprise appearance at the American Society of Primatologists Conference at the Benson Hotel. The "monkeys" will urge conference promoters to explain why primates continue to suffer in cruel, useless, tax-funded experiments and why the researchers refuse to publicly debate the questionable science.

WHEN: Thursday, August 18th at 1:30 PM

WHERE: Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway

The American Society of Primatologists (ASP) is meeting at the Benson Hotel for their annual conference, August 17th-20th, which is being hosted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Both the ASP and OHSU have turned down a request to publicly debate the efficacy of using animals as a model for human disease, an event that was being organized by In Defense of Animals (IDA) at Portland State University.

"If animal experimentation is valid and reliable, why do researchers at OHSU and members of the ASP have so many excuses about why they won¹t debate it?" questions Matt Rossell, In Defense of Animals NW Outreach Coordinator and former OHSU Primate Technician. "I have witnessed ridiculous and cruel experiments and taxpayers deserve answers about why we are using more monkeys than ever, instead of phasing out the animal model in favor of more modern methods."

IDA will also host a noontime rally Saturday, August 20, in the North Park Blocks (W Burnside and NW 8th Ave.) which will be followed by a 1.8 mile, police-escorted march first stopping at the Benson Hotel, and then walk on to the OHSU main campus. This event will highlight scientific discussions occurring in the UK.

During 2001 and 2002 in the UK, South Cambridgeshire District Council twice rejected a planning application from Cambridge University to build a huge new research complex to carry out experiments on monkeys. A massive body of testimony from experts discrediting the value of animal experimentation, contributed to the decision. In contrast, the university was unable to document examples of findings from monkeys translating into progress in medical care for people.

Among those who testified against the Cambridge lab was Dr. Ray Greek, Medical Director of Europeans for Medical Advancement, who gave hours of testimony and stated, "The track record of primate research is abysmal. The abandonment of animal models is absolutely vital for medicine to advance." Greek is willing to participate in a debate which was scheduled at Portland State University, 7 PM on Saturday, August 20, but after an exhaustive search, IDA couldn¹t find a single scientist or spokesperson from OHSU, ASP or elsewhere willing to defend animal experimentation.

A free public debate in Oxford, England was held on April 21, 2005, titled, "Animal Experiments, Science or Fiction?" Then, on July 23rd, more than 1000 activists marched in Oxford to mark the one-year anniversary in which construction on a partially built primate lab at Oxford University came to an historic halt.