Dozens attend rally in support of Oregon National Primate Research Center amid campaign to shut it down

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Researchers at a controversial research center in Washington County rallied together in support of the work they do at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at the Oregon Health and Science University West campus. The center has been a hub of controversy among animal rights activists and some medical experts for years.

OHSU officials say this all began after a series of advertisements bashing the ONPRC, which they say led to Governor Tina Kotek asking them to figure out a way to close it. 

That's why close to 70 people gathered along 185th and Northeast Holly in Beaverton, hoping to change people's minds when it comes to how the nearly 5,000 monkeys are treated behind closed doors at the research center.

ONRPC veterinarian Drew Martin told KOIN 6 News that the governor has not responded to the university's request to visit the center. 

"I would love for the governor and her staff to get out here and see us and it's really just the people. I think a lot of the stuff that's in the news that talks about the facts, about OHSU, it doesn't humanize it," she said. "And there are over 500 individuals that work here and care about the animals and care about the science. And we're really a community out here where, you know, we've worked together to do the best we can for the animals and for the research."

Oregon Health and Science University's Peter Barr-Gillespie, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer and Executive Vice President, released a statement to KOIN 6. In part, it reads:

"There is an active media campaign suggesting that the State of Oregon should not approve the Legacy Health integration unless the Oregon National Primate Research Center, or ONPRC, is closed. We learned today that constituents who have written to Gov. Kotek suggesting the ONPRC be closed are now receiving a response from her office that says in part: 'OHSU should figure out how to close its primate research center.' Along with other members of OHSU’s leadership team, I have been and will continue to meet with the governor and her staff to discuss the important research underway at the West Campus, as well as to inform them of the impacts that closing the ONPRC would have." 

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine or PCRM claims on its website that the research center could easily do at least some studies on humans or through other avenues rather than using primates.

PCRM is asking Oregonians to reach out to Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Health Authority to voice any concerns they might have.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Governor Kotek's office for comment. We will update this story when we hear back.