Biomedical Applications in Primatology

Abstract

Studies of the biology and behavior of nonhuman primates have played an integral role in biomedical research, from the development of models of human disease, injury, and brain function, to toxicity testing and the evaluation of novel environments. In most situations primatologists are consulted for their expertise in the anatomy, physiology, genetics, behavior, and ecology of human and nonhuman primates. Opportunities for applied primatologists as consultants, salaried research scientists, data analysts, and administrators exist in a wide range of nonacademic settings including medical centers, nonprofit research organizations, commercial animal supply houses, government agencies, museums, and zoos. Several broad topical areas are usually of interest: 1) behavior, including observation and measurement of psychological and social variables in projects such as pharmacological/toxicological testing, child abuse, and surgery; 2) nutrition, including causes, effects, and prevention of dietary deficiencies and obesity, and their interaction with disease; 3) reproduction, including documentation and measurement of sexual cycles, fertility, pregnancy, perinatal studies, and birth control; 4) human chronic and infectious disease models; and 5) miscellaneous studies on genetics, exercise physiology, aging, artificial limbs, organ transplants, and vehicular safety.