Panel Backs Joint Bion Mission

摘要

An independent task force recommended last week that NASA continue to participate in a space life sciences program with Russia that has drawn fire from animal-rights activists and some members of Congress. The panel praised the quality of the researchin this fall's Bion mission and dismissed accusations that the effort mistreats rhesus monkeys and is of dubious scientific value. At the same time, it suggested that NASA look at the ethical issues raised by the use of animals in all its life sciencesresearch before participating in a second Bion flight in 1998.