Marmosets in Scientific Research: An Ethical Discussion
Did You Know?
In 2024, nearly 2,000 marmosets were utilized in scientific research—a steep increase from previous years. Because there is no database cataloging the total number of animals used annually, obtaining precise figures is challenging. However, the USDA’s inspection reports allow for an institution-by-institution analysis.
Using these reports, we are able to assess the total number of marmosets housed in research facilities annually. Our earliest count, conducted around 2019, revealed just under 1,000 marmosets. In just a few years, this number has doubled, underscoring the expanding role of marmosets in scientific experimentation, and exemplifying why it is now more important than ever to provide advocacy for these defenseless creatures. .
The Reality for Laboratory Marmosets
Unlike primates such as chimpanzees, who are granted protective measures due to conservation status, white-tufted marmosets remain unprotected by such classifications. As a result, their rights are extremely limited, allowing them to be used for invasive research with minimal legal restrictions. Once their role in research is completed, they are typically euthanized, rather than retired into non-invasive care.
While research facilities are required to meet minimum care standards, these animals are often housed in small enclosures with limited social interaction, environmental stimulation, and enrichment. Their existence in labs is shaped by controlled conditions designed to support human research objectives rather than their physical and psychological well-being.
The Types of Research Marmosets Undergo
Marmosets are used in a variety of invasive studies, including:
Neuroscience Research: Some institutions use marmosets as test subjects in brain studies, which involve attaching surgical apparatuses to live animals for extended periods. The goal is to study neurological function and potential treatments for cognitive disorders.
Optometry Research: In a study published last year, for example, researchers induced myopia (partial blindness) in marmosets, keeping them in this condition for a set period of time before euthanizing them to remove and analyze their eyes.
Such procedures raise critical ethical questions—not only about the necessity of these studies, but about the emotional and physical toll on the animals involved.
Opening the Conversation
Our goal is not to shame research institutions or scientists but rather to engage in a meaningful discussion about the ethics of animal research. While scientific advancement has brought immeasurable benefits, at what cost should it continue? Are there alternatives that could minimize suffering while still achieving progress?
As marmoset research expands, it is vital to assess whether the methods employed justify the outcomes—and whether sanctuary-based alternatives could provide solutions for animals no longer needed in scientific studies.
