Huntingdon Life Sciences

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Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) is an international contract research organization (CRO) and laboratory animal breeding company. Firms hire CROs to conduct toxicity animal testing for agrochemicals, petrochemicals, household products, pharmaceuticals and toxins. The company was founded in the United Kingdom in 1952 and has facilities in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Outside of the UK, it has facilities in New Jersey (U.S.) and in Japan. [1] Originally the company concentrated upon nutrition, veterinary and biochemical research. An expansion of services in the late '50s led to the assessment of pharmaceuticals, food additives crop and consumer chemicals. [2]

Contents

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Overview

HLS is the 3rd largest CRO in the world and the largest animal testing facility in Europe. The company provides full programs for agrochemicals like pesticides, herbicides, weed-killers and fertilizers. They also test detergents, tanning lotions, diet pills, food wrapping plastic, food additives, cosmetics and some pharmaceuticals. Viagra was tested at HLS. Olestra was a "fat free oil" that was found to be safe in animal tests but caused anal leakage in humans. HLS also tests controversial genetically modified organisms and has performed Xenotransplantation experiments. [3] An estimated 12,800 animals were killed in the process of testing Splenda. [4] See also Johnson & Johnson, section 1.3.

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Species & numbers of animals

According to Inside HLS, Huntingdon Life Sciences kills approximately 180,000 dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, pigs, primates (marmosets, macaques, and wild-caught baboons), fish and other animals per year. Figures were obtained by averaging the numbers of animals from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports and other published reports from overseers and government regulatory agencies. At any one period, approximately 70,000 animals housed in HLS facilities. All animals either die as a result of the experiments or are destroyed at the end. Like many laboratories, HLS uses Beagles due to their passive nature and unwillingness to bite. Their docile nature decreases resistance to placing tubes down their throats, restraining them and other procedures. [5], [6] See also animal testing, section 3 on product (toxicity) testing.

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Facility information, progress reports & USDA-APHIS reports

For links to copies of this facility's USDA reports indicating species, number of animals used and other information, see also Facility Reports and Information: Huntingdon Life Sciences. [7]

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Clients

Corporations which contract test out to Huntingdon Life Sciences include: Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Baxter International, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dow Chemical Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Monsanto, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis and Wyeth. [8]

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Animal cruelty investigations & reports


Footage from U.S. and European investigations.
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Michelle Rokke: New Jersey

In September of 1996, undercover investigator Michelle Rokke from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), was hired as a lab technician at Huntingdon's New Jersey lab. Wearing glasses with a pinpoint video camera in the bridge, she taped some 50 hours of laboratory activities in her 8 months of employment. She also made six hours of audiotapes and copied 8,000 pages of documents, including a client list. At the time, HLS was using dogs to test an antibacterial agent additive for tooth paste for Colgate-Palmalive. It was also revealed that the beagles were to have their legs broken to test a new drug, intended to combat osteoporosis, for the Japanese company, Yamanouchi Pharmaceuticals. PETA also accused HLS technicians of improperly anesthetizing monkeys prior to removing their organs in a study for Proctor & Gamble. Yamanouchi soon canceled its contract and the dogs were eventually put up for adoption. The investigation sparked protests resulting in government investigations. [9] The USDA fined the New Jersey facility $50,000 for violating a Federal law that regulates the care and treatment of laboratory animals. In the settlement, the company agreed to pay the fine without admitting to the charges. [10]

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Zoe Broughton: United Kingdom

Also in 1996, Zoe Broughton secretly filmed inside of HLS while working as a laboratory technician. She followed the entire process from puppies' settling in weeks, through experiments and postmortems; assembling evidence of "cruelty and incompetence". [11] The documentary, It's A Dog's Life was based on Zoe Broughton's investigations and undercover taping. It was aired on March 26, 1997. One day after the broadcast, three laboratory technicians were put on suspended leave. Two men who had been filmed hitting and shaking dogs were arrested at their residences by local police and by autumn, had been prosecuted under the Animals Act of 1911. They admitted to charges of "cruelly terrifying dogs" and were given sentences of community service and ordered to pay 250 pounds costs by magistrates in Peterborough. It was the first time that laboratory technicians had been prosecuted for animal cruelty in the United Kingdom. The film had also revealed one technician squirting a syringe of drug into the bin when he could not find the dog's vein. The suggestion was that technicians weren't accurately measuring out the chemicals, thereby affecting the data. Some of the companies who used HLS, subsequently withdrew their contracts. The price of HLS shares also dropped from 121p to 54p over the next few months. At 54p, the company requested that its stock market shares be frozen. According to Home Office minister George Howarth in a written statement to Parliment on July 24 1997:

"Shortcomings relating to the care, treatment and handling of animals, and delegation of health checking to new staff of undetermined competence, demonstrate that the establishment was not appropriately staffed and that animals were not at all times provided with adequate care." [12]
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Shamrock Farm animal import & quarantine: UK

In 1998, almost all of the 2,467 macaques used in British laboratories came through Shamrock Farm. It was owned by Bausch and Lomb (sunglasses, eye wear) and run by Charles River. Shamrock farm closed in 2000 after a 15 month campaign by Save the Shamrock Monkeys. [13] According to Shamfacts, primates imported from Mauritius, the Philippines and China were packed in tiny crates, often too small for them to stand; for up to two and a half days. Subsequently, up to 300 monkeys were kept in tiny cages inside of dark Portakabins. The monkeys were quarantined for up to two months before being sold for vivisection. Following campaigns exposing the cruel conditions of monkeys being transported on long flights, many airlines and ferry companies refused to transport animals for Shamrock. Shamrock customers included Huntingdon Life Sciences, SmithKline Beecham, GaxoWellcome and Inveresk Clinical Research. [14]

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Confidential documents released: UK

In April 2003, the largest ever set of data concerning animal experiments in the United Kingdom was released following a defeat earlier in the month for a 30 month injunction by drug companies. The documents revealed primates being used in the search for solutions to the chronic global shortage of human transplant organs. Baboons were transported from the African savannahs to die in steel cages the size of toilet cubicles. According to the documents, a quarter of the primates died from "technical failures". Researchers describe monkeys and baboons dying in fits of vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptons were violent spasms, bloody discharges, grinding teeth and uncontrollable, manic eye movements. Other animals retreated within themselves, lying still in their cages until they were put of their misery. Baboon W201m died of a stroke after two days of suffering from limb spasms and paralysis. Baboon W205m was "sacrificed" after 21 days. A genetically modified pig's heart had been attached to the vital arteries within its neck. Researchers noted the heart was swelling way beyond its natural size with a strange yellow fluid seeping from the organ.

Other animals never even made it to HLS, suffering painful deaths en route. Faxes from global wildlife dealers reveal at least 50 baboons being taken from the African plains for the experiments. In one shipment, the creatures spent 34 hours in cramped transport crates; 10 hours longer than approved by the Home Office, which did not take any action. . In another shipment, three monkeys were found dead with blood oozing from their nostrils at a Paris airport. The animals had not been able to turn and lie down naturally. The 1,274 pages of documentation revealed a "litany of failings", including at least 520 errors and omissions. [15]

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Painful tests for dogs double while overall numbers decline: NJ

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports for HLS's New Jersey laboratory, 77 dogs were force fed toxic substances causing substantial pain, without anesthesia in 2008. At least 5 of these dogs sustained injuries severe enough to warrant euthanasia. This compares to only 30 dogs used in experiments involving unrelieved pain in 2007. According to Micheal Budkie, executive director of Animal Exploitation NOW! (SAEN), a laboratory watchdog group:

“The concept that dogs, no different than those who share 43,000,000 American homes, are literally poisoned inside the labs of this facility is totally shocking. This is not science; this is nothing short of animal abuse.”

The reports also reveal a 34% drop in animal use over a period of one year. In 2007, the NJ laboratory reported 2,143 "regulated" animals. (Over 90% of the animals used in experimentation are excluded from the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the only federal law which over sees animal testing. Rats, mice, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are expressly eliminated from all safeguards. Species not covered under the AWA do not even have to be reported.) [16] By 2008, animals usage had dropped by over a third, to 1,415 regulated animals. [17], [18]

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Time line of investigations, testimonies & reports

See also [19] for investigations, reports, videos and testimonies of former employees of HLS and [20] for a time line of exposures of HLS and HLS breeders.

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U.S. Senate hearings

According to Dr. Jerry Vlasik's October 10th, 2005 address to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works:

"Huntingdon Life Sciences has been infiltrated and exposed 5 times in recent years by journalists, animal rights campaigners and members of the public; each time evidence of animal abuse and staff incompetence has been uncovered. A 1999 inspection of their Occold (UK) facility by the Good Laboratory Practice Monitoring Authority revealed 41 deficiencies, including errors in standard operating procedures, training issues, record keeping, quality assurance, equipment, labeling and facilities. 520 violations of the UK Good Laboratory Practices Act were documented in an expose by the Daily Press (UK) in 2000. They are the only UK laboratory to ever have their license revoked by the government. ...Each of the witnesses that have testified before me have their own financial interests at stake in the continued oppression, torture and murder of non-human animals by HLS." [21]

Dr. Vlasik is a trauma surgeon, former vivisector and Press Officer for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. He was the only activist invited to attend these hearings. A previous hearing in May featured statements from David Martosko of the Center for Consumer Freedom. [22]

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Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC)


The SHAC Movement.

The SHAC campaign was set up at the end of 1999 by a group of activists who had successfully closed down laboratory animal breeders in the United Kingdom. In 1996, the group initiated a campaign against Consort kennels, near Hereford. Over 800 beagles were kept at the kennels waiting to be sold to vivisection laboratories. The campaign involved daily demonstrations and all night vigils. In July 1997, after 10 months of campaigning; the kennels closed and 200 beagles were found homes. In September of 1997, the group initiated a campaign against the last remaining breeder of cats for vivisection in the UK. Hillgrove farm, in Oxfordshire, sold kittens as young as 10 days old to vivisection laboratories world wide. At the farm, over 1,000 cats were kept in windowless sheds. In August of 1999, the farm closed after 18 months of campaigning. 800 cats were rescued on August 12, 1999 and placed in homes. SHAC is an international campaign with groups in the UK, USA, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and many other countries who target HLS and the global corporations which support them. [23]

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SHAC 7

In March of 2006, six young webmasters were the first individuals to be convicted for "animal enterprise terrorism" in Trenton, New Jersey. They posted videotape of tortured dogs and reported on legal and illegal activities, eventually causing the corporation to lose profits and be dropped from the NY Stock Exchange. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), unable to catch underground activists, instead targeted the website operators. They are currently serving up to six years in prison for their speech. [24] See also Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, section 6.

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Trading, finances & shareholders meetings

Huntingdon Life Sciences was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in 2002. On September 7, 2005, HLS was scheduled to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LSR, with company executives present to celebrate. However, the listing was canceled without comment moments before trading began. Currently HLS stock still trades on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol LSRI. Chairman and CEO Andrew Baker, who owns 27% of HLS stock, fronted the company $43 million in June of 2005. However, HLS still reported a $75.9 million debt after the cash infusion. Two of HLS's directors are based in third world countries. Shareholders meetings are held secretly in Panama. [25]

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Personnel

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United Kingdom

  • Andrew H. Baker, Executive Chairman
  • Brian Cass, Director & CEO
  • Julian T. Griffiths, Finance Director & Secretary
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New Jersey

  • Cathy Brower, Human Resources
  • Henning Jonassen, Group Director, Necropsy Laboratory
  • Darioush "Dari" Dadgar, Vice President, Analytical Services
  • Carol Auletta, Sr. Scientific Staff
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Contact

Huntingdon Research Centre
Woolley Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE28 4HS
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1480 892 000
sales@ukorg.huntingdon.com

Eye Research Centre
Eye
Suffolk IP23 7PX
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1480 892 000
sales@ukorg.huntingdon.com

Princeton Research Centre
PO Box 2360
Mettlers Road
East Millstone NJ 08875-2360
United States
Phone: (732) 873-2550
sales@princeton.huntingdon.com

[26]

Web adress: http://www.huntingdon.com

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Articles & sources

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SourceWatch articles

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References

  1. ↑ Huntingdon Life Sciences Group Plc Business Information, Profile, and History, Jrank.org, accessed June 2009
  2. ↑ "Company Overview", Huntingdon Life Sciences, accessed November 2008
  3. ↑ Frequently Asked Questions about Huntingdon Life Sciences, Inside Huntingdon Life Sciences, accessed July 2009
  4. ↑ Splenda, Sadistically Sweet, Inside HLS, accessed February 2009
  5. ↑ Frequently Asked Questions about Huntingdon Life Sciences, Inside HLS, accessed July 2009
  6. ↑ Who is Huntington Life Sciences?, Kinshipcircle.org, accessed December 2008
  7. ↑ Facility Reports and Information: Huntingdon Life Sciences, Inc., East Millstone, NJ, Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!, accessed October 2009
  8. ↑ Inside Customers, Inside HLS, accessed December 2008
  9. ↑ Huntingdon Life Sciences Group Plc Business Information, Profile, and History, Jrank.org, accessed June 2009
  10. ↑ Gina Kolata New Jersey Lab Is Fined Over Care of Animals, New York Times, April 1998
  11. ↑ Zoe Broughton Seeing Is Believing: cruelty to dogs at Huntingdon Life Sciences, The Ecologist, March 2001
  12. ↑ Zoe Broughton Seeing Is Believing – cruelty to dogs at Huntingdon Life Sciences, The Ecologist, March 2001
  13. ↑ Shamrock Monkey Farm: The Campaign, Animal Rights Bit Torrents, January 2006
  14. ↑ Shamfacts, Shamfacts, accessed February 2009
  15. ↑ Mark Townsend Exposed: secrets of the animal organ lab, The Observer, April 2003
  16. ↑ The Animal Care Program and the USDA's Authority Under the AWA: Q & A, U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS Fact Sheet, July 2005, page 2
  17. ↑ Micheal Budkie Pain for Dogs Doubles at Huntingdon Life Sciences: Overall HLS Experimentation Drops, SAEN, September 8, 2009
  18. ↑ Facility Reports and Information: Huntingdon Life Sciences, Inc., East Millstone, NJ, SAEN, accessed October 2009
  19. ↑ Inside HLS, Exposed, Inside HLS, accessed January 2009
  20. ↑ HLS Exposed, Timeline, Inside HLS, accessed January 2009
  21. ↑ Dr. Jerry Vlasik Testimony of Jerry Vlasik, M.D.: Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (“SHAC”) Eco-terrorism, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, October 2005
  22. ↑ David Martosko Testimony of David Martosko: Environmental and Animal-Rights Terrorism and Its Above-Ground Support System, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, May 2005
  23. ↑ Introduction to SHAC, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, accessed May 2009
  24. ↑ Charlotte Laws, PhD, "AETA and the New Green Scare: Are You the Terrorist Next Door?", Counterpunch, January 26, 2007
  25. ↑ Dr. Jerry Vlasik Testimony of Jerry Vlasik, M.D.: Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (“SHAC”) Eco-terrorism, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, October 2005
  26. ↑ Contact, HLS, accessed September 2009
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External articles

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