Nonhuman primates and teratological research

Nonhuman primates were first recognized as models for the study of developmental toxicity (teratology) following the thalidomide tragedy. Since that time they have played important roles in both testing of drugs for human safety and as models for studying specific malformations commonly seen in children. Although in vitro and alternative test systems using lower animal forms or simplified test systems have been incorporated into developmental toxicity studies, whole animal testing will be required for the foreseeable future because of the complex relationship of the maternal/embryofetal/placental unit. The nonhuman primate will be particularly valuable where equivocal results are experienced in other commonly used laboratory species, when the drug/chemical is likely to be used during pregnancy, and for human-derived biotechnical products which often are not bioactive in nonprimate species.