Animal group ad targets NM institute during CNN debate

An animal-rights group plans to air a television advertisement during tonight’s CNN Republican presidential primary debate alleging that animal escapes from Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute make the Albuquerque research facility a “dangerous neighbor.” The 30-second spot alleges that dangerous pathogens “may threaten you and your family” as a result of animal escapes from LRRI, located on Kirtland Air Force Base. Stop Animal Exploitation Now, or SAEN, began airing the spot locally Sept. 7 on cable news networks CNN, FoxNews and MSNBC, said SAEN spokesman Michael Budkie. Federal inspection reports found that monkeys used in research projects at LRRI escaped from the cages at least six times over the past year, the Journal reported last month. The monkeys, nearly all rhesus macaques, were all recaptured without injury to the animals or staff, often by using food to lure them into enclosures, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said in inspection reports. The reports do not indicate that any of the monkeys were able to get outdoors or escape into public areas. Biosafety level 3 research at LRRI investigates potentially dangerous illnesses and toxins transmitted by inhalation, such as avian flu virus, anthrax and ricin...more