How can the use of washed wild monkeys weaken research science?

Introduction

The increasing demand for wild monkeys is driving illegal trade. However, the smuggled monkeys carry diseases that can disrupt experiments and lead to unreliable data.

Explanation

In 2019, immunologist Jonah Sasha purchased a shipment of monkeys for his research on infectious diseases. However, during preliminary chest X-rays, Sasha discovered one monkey standing out for all the wrong reasons: it was suffering from latent tuberculosis, meaning it carried the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

Consequences

Studies indicate that smuggled monkeys carry numerous infectious diseases that can affect the outcomes of scientific experiments and make them unreliable. Thus, the use of smuggled monkeys can undermine scientific research and impact results and conclusions.

Potential Solutions

To mitigate the impact of using smuggled monkeys on scientific research, stringent measures must be taken to combat illegal monkey trade and enhance oversight of wildlife trade. Efforts should also be increased to breed monkeys in regulated environments and provide them to researchers from reliable and accredited sources.

Conclusion

There should be greater awareness about the effects of using smuggled monkeys in scientific research and the necessity of taking action to combat this issue. Scientific institutions, governments, and international organizations must collaborate to protect wildlife and ensure the safety and reliability of scientific research.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03533-1