Protecting endangered animals vs basic research

[ck1]

A few days ago I ordered primate cells from a company for a pilot project in my lab. The company required extra forms to be filled out, so I filled them out and thought that would be the end of it.

Today I was notified that in order to get these primate cells (frozen more than a decade ago), I would have to apply for a permit from the Federal Fish and Wildlife Agency because the animals are endangered.

The form requires that I submit a grant proposal or research proposal (something I would have to write up as this is a pilot project). The proposal would then go through a 2-6 month evaluation period that includes public comments and expert evaluation. Just to get permission to spend my research funds to buy frozen fibroblasts!

Also, I will not be able to get the cells for my basic research project unless I can argue that my research results will produce some specific benefit for those animals!

The same requirement holds for requests for DNA from these animals!

I am not applying for research funds, I am simply asking for permission to buy these cells from the company that has them frozen away!!!!!

[Nunyo Beeznis]

and they want to add polar bears to the list :) JUST THINK how bad things would be if they did that?

[nygreenguy]

Well, since im an ecologist ill chime in.

Sure, they were frozen a decade ago, however what will happen when that supply is used up? Will the company resort to more drastic measures? Will the researchers persuade the companies to take those measures? Will the researchers themselves take it upon themselves to collect the samples?

So, needless to say I can understand the process.

[ck1]

Well, since im an ecologist ill chime in.

Sure, they were frozen a decade ago, however what will happen when that supply is used up? Will the company resort to more drastic measures? Will the researchers persuade the companies to take those measures? Will the researchers themselves take it upon themselves to collect the samples?

So, needless to say I can understand the process.

I can see your point when it comes to live animals. For DNA or cells, animals would not have to be killed to collect more, and yet the rules are equally stringent.

I also do not know limited current supplies are - how much DNA was prepared and frozen and how many vials of cells.

Also, it would appear that 3 of the 4 sets of samples have not been used for much - at least they have not been used in any published work.

[nygreenguy]

I can see your point when it comes to live animals. For DNA or cells, animals would not have to be killed to collect more, and yet the rules are equally stringent. True, but simply the process of collecting could have a negative effect on their fitness.

Im just throwing out possibilities.

[ck1]

I can see your point when it comes to live animals. For DNA or cells, animals would not have to be killed to collect more, and yet the rules are equally stringent. True, but simply the process of collecting could have a negative effect on their fitness.

Im just throwing out possibilities.

OK for animals in the wild. I'm checking into zoo animals. I assume they are bled regularly and hope I can get a small sample that way. But I would not be surprised if I am faced with the same restrictions.

I really just want to see if my project is feasible before I put too much effort into it. And it is sad to see that material just sitting in freezers.

[nygreenguy]

I really just want to see if my project is feasible before I put too much effort into it. And it is sad to see that material just sitting in freezers.

I agree, but remember, if that animal goes extinct, its all we have left of it. Thats why i imagine the restrictions are on it.

[Dlx2]

Here's another take.

The US concerns on endangered species are drafted to prevent purchase/sale/transport of any part of an endangered animal. One can't tell whether a bunch of eagle feathers were simply found on the ground or whether they were all plucked from a poisoned eagle. As there's no way to be certain, they ban it entirely, so as to head any poachers off at the pass, so to speak.

The problem is that this does put a damper on most scientific research using these materials. The permitting exists to ensure that people aren't using tissues or endangered animals for extraneous purposes, although I'd agree that the current legislation is too restrictive.

Zoos are notoriously bad about only allowing researchers to use their collections in the event that the research has immediate conservation value, even if sampling is noninvasive. I remember a friend looking into gathering dung for a study, and not being permitted to d so because his study was not conservation-based.

Then again, AZA zoos have some serious conservation problems themselves.

[ck1]

I wonder about the companies that are storing this material. They incur the costs of maintaining cells and DNA for years (decades?), and they charge only a few hundred dollars to those few investigators willing to jump through hoops to get the material. At what point will those companies decide this is not worth it and just chuck those samples?

In the meantime, I am contacting everyone I know who works with primates in the hope that someone has samples that were frozen before these restrictions were put in place.