Fat monkeys might help fight human obesity
By Andrew Pollack | New York Times | Updated: 2011-03-06 07:45
HILLSBORO, Oregon - At the Oregon National Primate Research Center, a colony of monkeys has been fattened up to help scientists study the twin human epidemics of obesity and diabetes. The overweight monkeys also test new drugs aimed at treating those conditions.
Demand for the overweight primates is growing as part of the battle against the obesity epidemic, according to researchers.
As pharmaceutical firms move some research to less expensive countries, the obese monkeys are following. "This is a booming industry in China," said Kevin L. Grove, a neuroscientist who directs the Oregon program. "They have colonies of thousands."
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