Monkey-based experiments to rise

THE number of monkeys and other non-human primates used in animal experiments is expected to rise as new sophisticated therapies are developed for complex diseases.

Scientists made a prediction yesterday as Britain’s Home Office released new figures showing a 6% rise in scientific procedures involving animals between 2006 and 2007.

Total procedures carried out in Britain last year was just more than 3.2 million. It was the sixth year in a row the figure increased, mainly due to the growing use of genetically modified rodents and fish.