Research Involving Non-Human Primates: Four Policy Scenarios for the Netherlands: Report by The Committee on Research Involving Non-Human Primates

In November 2022, the Dutch House of Representatives requested that the government investigate if the number of experiments conducted on non-human primates (NHPs) could be reduced. In response, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) established this committee in December 2023. The committee was tasked with examining the possibility to further reduce the number of experiments involving NHPs without compromising research that is strictly necessary for controling life-threatening diseases and outbreaks of infectious diseases affecting public health.

The committee was not asked to provide policy advice but to conduct "an examination of what is possible and what is not." Therefore, this report consists of two parts. In the first part, the committee presents the results of its investigation into ways to reduce NHP experiments. The second part
outlines four policy scenarios, which result from different weightings of relevant arguments. The committee does not express a preference for any of the policy scenarios. However, on certain issues, the committee does formulate clear conclusions that apply to all policy scenarios.

The committee's findings are based on two primary sources of information: literature review and interviews with experts. The committee's own expertise played a crucial role in interpreting the literature and expert discussions. The committee made working visits to the two Dutch NHP research facilities and held two consultations—one with researchers specializing in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and another with representatives of societal interest groups. Finally, bioinformatician Dr. James Gallant was commissioned to analyse international literature on NHP research, providing insights into key characteristics of global NHP research.