"The OSU administration determined that this research was not in the best interest of the university.  The testing of lethal pathogens on primates would be a new area for OSU that is outside our current research programs.  Therefore, we have decided not to pursue it.

"The proposed program is not a current research project at OSU, nor does OSU have any funding for it.  No contract has been written; no award has been received.  A researcher from another institution outside Oklahoma is the lead on this project.  OSU's researcher may join on the research; the administration has simply decided that OSU will not have primates euthanized on its campus.  Very few institutions conduct this research.

"The decision has no bearing on any other research currently done at OSU, including animal research that offers many life-changing benefits.

"The decision was not arbitrary.  The administration took into account the work and opinion of the OSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and it consulted with others, including administrators at other research institutions.  No animal rights advocates were consulted in the process.  The decision was reached after weighing all the pros and cons."