New research casts doubt on monkeys as drug testing model
FRAME is calling for increased investment in cell-based and computer methods of drug testing following new research that demonstrates serious flaws in an animal model.Cynomolgus monkeys are considered a valuable species for drug testing because of their size and their relatively close genetic parallels with humans. Now new experiments to investigate how the liver handles the commonly-used painkiller paracetamol have revealed that cynomolgus monkeys are resistant to doses that would be fatal in humans. The findings cast serious doubt on the use of these monkeys as an animal model for drug