The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is one of seven National Primate Research Centers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It has internal and external oversight to ensure ethical care for animals and top-quality research important for human health. Located on Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) West Campus, ONPRC is under continuous federal oversight that regulates animal research. The center is also accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), maintaining this status since 1974. 

Research at ONPRC is reviewed by independent experts to decide when an animal model is needed. Once a year, an External Scientific Advisory Board conducts a review to assess the research and provide feedback. Additionally, ONPRC, along with OHSU, has internal committees that must approve studies before they start. These committees ensure that research complies with regulations, meets health and safety standards, and provides fair access to resources. 

USDA Research Facility Annual Usage Summary Report Website 

As a USDA-registered research facility, ONPRC submits an annual report to the USDA detailing the use of animals regulated by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The report categorizes animals into five columns: 

• Column B: Animals held by the facility but not used in research that year. These are in the breeding colony.
• Column C: Animals used in research procedures that did not require pain-relieving drugs.
• Column D: Animals used in research where procedures may cause discomfort or pain; analgesics are given to ease any potential discomfort.
• Column E: ONPRC does not conduct studies with nonhuman primates in this category. This includes animals where analgesics are not provided because they would affect the results of the study.
• Column F: Total number of animals used in research (Column C + Column D + Column E).