A Turning Point in the Fight Against Animal Cruelty
The University of Washington (UW) has suspended the monkey experiments of Michele Basso, the former director of the university’s Washington National Primate Research Center. For years, animal advocates, scientists, and watchdog groups have sounded the alarm about Basso’s disturbing record of cruelty, and this suspension marks a significant, if overdue, victory in the push to end the abuse of primates in laboratories.
At Sustainable Action Now, we believe that the future of science must be humane, ethical, and free from animal suffering. Learn more about the larger fight against laboratory abuse in our Animal Testing section.
Michele Basso’s Troubling Legacy
For decades, Michele Basso has been at the center of controversy. Her research involved invasive experiments on monkeys—procedures that have caused immense suffering, lasting trauma, and in many cases, death.
Reports from animal welfare advocates detail a grim timeline of cruelty: monkeys subjected to painful brain experiments, inadequate veterinary care, and repeated violations of animal welfare standards. These concerns were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern that reflected systemic neglect and indifference to the wellbeing of the animals in her charge.
In fact, Basso’s history of misconduct stretches back to her previous research post at the University of Wisconsin, where she also faced criticism over inhumane experiments. Her career has long been synonymous with disregard for animal welfare standards.
The Suspension: What It Means
The University of Washington’s oversight committee finally intervened, suspending Basso’s primate experiments after years of public pressure and documented abuse. While this decision is a step in the right direction, advocates argue it is not nearly enough.
Suspension of one researcher’s work does not undo the harm already inflicted, nor does it dismantle a system that continues to profit from animal suffering. The broader call is for UW to:
- Permanently shut down its primate research programs
- Release the surviving monkeys to accredited sanctuaries where they can live out their lives in peace
- Reinvest resources into non-animal research alternatives that are more accurate, humane, and forward-thinking
Public Outcry: Voices Demanding Change
The outrage against Basso’s experiments has been fierce. Advocacy groups, including PETA, have called on UW to shutter the primate center entirely. A widely shared message urges the public to contact the university directly:
“Tell @universityofwashington: Shut down the primate center 👉 PETA Timeline of Basso’s Cruel Career”
This growing movement is fueled by both compassion and science. Researchers and physicians argue that animal experiments not only cause needless suffering but also fail to provide reliable results that translate effectively to human medicine.
The Broader Issue: Animal Testing in America
While Michele Basso’s suspension is a headline-making case, it represents just one instance of a much larger problem. Across the United States, primate centers and university laboratories continue to confine, exploit, and kill animals under the banner of “research.”
Key concerns include:
- Ethical Failures: Monkeys, dogs, cats, and rodents endure painful experiments with little legal protection.
- Scientific Limitations: Studies have repeatedly shown that animal-based research often fails to predict human outcomes, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars annually.
- Alternatives Ignored: Cutting-edge alternatives—such as organ-on-a-chip technology, 3D tissue modeling, and advanced computer simulations—remain underfunded compared to outdated animal testing.
The fight against Basso’s experiments is therefore part of a larger battle to end animal testing nationwide.
A Path Forward: Humane Science Without Suffering
To truly move toward a sustainable, ethical future, institutions like UW must embrace the following changes:
- Shut Down Primate Centers
- End the cycle of cruelty by phasing out all primate experimentation programs.
- Sanctuary Over Suffering
- Relocate surviving monkeys to sanctuaries where they can receive the care and freedom they deserve.
- Fund Alternatives
- Direct taxpayer dollars and research funding toward humane, scientifically advanced alternatives that save lives without animal suffering.
- Transparency and Accountability
- Require universities to disclose details about animal use in research, including oversight violations and funding sources.
- Policy Reform
- Strengthen the Animal Welfare Act and eliminate loopholes that allow universities to self-police without meaningful consequences.
A Chance to End the Cruelty
The suspension of Michele Basso’s monkey experiments is more than just an administrative action—it is a reminder of what happens when cruelty is allowed to fester unchecked in the name of science. It is also a rallying cry for all of us who believe that science should never come at the expense of compassion.
Sustainable Action Now stands alongside advocates demanding the permanent closure of the UW primate center and a national commitment to humane science. For more insights and ways to take action, visit our Animal Testing page.
Together, we can push universities and policymakers to embrace an ethical, sustainable path forward—one that values life, advances science, and finally ends the suffering of animals in laboratories.
Timeline of Michele Basso’s Controversies
Early Career & University of Wisconsin
- 1990s – 2000s
- Michele Basso began her career conducting invasive brain experiments on monkeys at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- During this period, animal welfare groups raised concerns about inadequate care, housing conditions, and unnecessary suffering inflicted on primates.
- Repeated complaints were filed with oversight bodies, alleging violations of federal animal welfare standards.
Transition to the University of Washington
- 2011
- Basso joined the University of Washington (UW) and took a leadership role at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC).
- Advocates immediately flagged her controversial history, warning UW that hiring Basso would continue a cycle of abuse.
Mounting Criticism
- 2012 – 2018
- Reports surfaced of primates enduring painful neurological experiments and invasive surgeries under Basso’s oversight.
- Whistleblowers and watchdog groups accused UW of failing to enforce proper animal care protocols.
- Complaints included inadequate veterinary attention, cramped and stressful housing conditions, and monkeys dying prematurely as a direct result of experiments.
Escalation of Public Pressure
- 2019 – 2023
- National organizations including PETA launched campaigns targeting Basso and UW.
- Protests outside the university demanded transparency and an end to experiments, with advocates highlighting the scientific limitations of using monkeys as models for human neurological research.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests revealed disturbing details, including multiple incidents of staff negligence and animal suffering tied to Basso’s research programs.
Recent Developments
- 2024
- A series of reports spotlighted growing concerns about UW’s primate center, including calls from legislators for greater oversight of federally funded animal testing programs.
- Animal welfare advocates intensified their campaigns, urging the Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate Basso’s record.
Breaking Point
- 2025
- UW’s oversight committee suspended Michele Basso’s monkey experiments, acknowledging years of documented abuse and mismanagement.
- Advocacy groups called for the permanent closure of the primate center and the transfer of surviving monkeys to sanctuaries.
- This suspension marked one of the most significant victories yet in the broader movement to end primate experimentation in the United States.
Looking Ahead
- Advocates continue to demand that UW:
- Fully shut down the Washington National Primate Research Center
- End all primate experimentation programs permanently
- Redirect funds toward non-animal alternatives that are scientifically more effective and ethically sound
For more information on animal testing and how you can get involved in ending cruelty in laboratories, visit our Animal Testing page.
