Monkeys Genetically Modified to Have Huntington’s Disease

Two surviving rhesus macaque monkeys have been genetically modified to have Huntington’s disease, a devastating human degenerative brain disease, in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the fatal ailment and uncover clues to possible new treatments.

Huntington’s is caused by a single abnormal gene in which certain nerve cells in the brain waste away. People are born with the gene but symptoms typically do not appear until middle age.

The researchers said one of two surviving rhesus macaque monkeys is showing tell-tale symptoms at age 10 months.

This experiment has been criticised by the PETA and RSPCA.

PETA saying it is “there is no justification for it”.

RSPCA said it “completely condemns these experiments” and that “there are many different ways of carrying out research on these diseases without using primates.”

Aren’t the 2 monkeys cute? I think it’s cruel.

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