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Iran denied using African monkeys for 'secretive' laboratory test

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-13 10:19

TEHRAN - An Iranian lab denied that Iran was using monkeys for biological weapons experiments, saying that the monkeys purchased from Africa were used for testing the safety of polio vaccines, Iran's English-language satellite channel Press TV reported Saturday.

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The Sunday Times of London reported on July 6 that hundreds of endangered monkeys were sent to a "secretive" laboratory in Iran, fueling speculation that the monkeys may be used for research involving biological weapons.

Abdolhossein Dalimi-Asl, head of the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute said that these monkeys have been purchased from a Tanzanian dealer for testing the safety of polio vaccines and the weight of such subjects is determined based on the World Health Organization guidelines.

The Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute has been buying monkeys from Tanzania for scientific purposes since 1971, he added.

The monkeys were purchased legally, with permission from Tanzania, as well as environmental protection organizations, Dalimi-Asl said, adding that thus there is no conflict with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Four Tanzanian companies currently provide Vervet monkeys for the eight countries that produce polio vaccines, according to Press TV.