Sinclair Research Center

Sinclair Research Center is a contract research organization (CRO) and laboratory animal breeding company. Firms hire CROs to conduct toxicity animal testing for agrochemicals, petrochemicals, household products, pharmaceuticals and toxins. Sinclair is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri with biomedical research facilities in Auxvasse, Missouri and miniature swine breeding facilities in Missouri and Maine. Originally located on 543 acres in Columbia, the company was formed in 1965 by the University of Missouri (UMC). Its primary function was to provide "laboratory animal research support" for the University with funding from university research grants. By the the early 1990's, most of Sinclair's clients were coming from the private sector; concurring with a decline of university funding. Sinclair was fully privatized in March of 1994 as a CRO and animal breeding facility.

Facility information, progress reports & USDA-APHIS reports
For copies of this facility's U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal Plant Health Inspection (APHIS) reports, other information and links, see also Sinclair Research Center, Columbia, MO.

USDA AWA reports
As of May 26, 2009, the USDA began posting all inspection reports for animal breeders, dealers, exhibitors, handlers, research facilities and animal carriers by state. See also USDA Animal Welfare Inspection Reports.

Iams investigation & experiments
For nearly 10 months in 2002 and 2003, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) conducted an undercover investigation at Sinclair Research Center, a contract laboratory for Iams pet food. The investigation found dogs had gone crazy from intense confinement in barren steel cages and cement cells. Dogs were left piled on a filthy paint-chipped floor after chunks of muscle had been hacked from their thighs. They had also been surgically debarked. Severely ill dogs and cats were languished in cages without veterinary care. Iams representatives toured the facility and witnessed dogs circling their cells and sweltering in the summer heat, yet did nothing about it. The USDA investigated PETA's complaint and cited the laboratory for failure to provide veterinary care and pain relief; adequate space; and employee training; along with almost 40 other violations of the Animal Welfare Act. , Sinclair paid a penalty of $33,000.

After intense pressure from PETA and its supporters, Iams agreed to sever its ties with Sinclair Research Center and end invasive and terminal experiments on dogs and cats.

See also Proctor & Gamble.

Miniature swine breeding
Sinclair breeds miniature swine for use in laboratories. They operate two miniature swine production facilities in Columbia, Missouri and Windham, Maine. According to their website, the "state-of-the-art" Missouri facility is "environmentally friendly" with computerized fresh air ventilation which recovers 80% of the energy from exhaust. The facility is tailored specifically for the special needs of miniature swine. It has an "integrated socialization and enrichment program". This includes daily human contact, routine treats, toys, visual contact with adjacent pens, elimination of nose to nose contact in young animals and maintaining social hierarchies. Therefore, stress associated with weaning and regrouping are greatly minimized. The animal flow is tightly controlled and is animal and people friendly.

Contact
Sinclair Research Center PO Box 658 Columbia, MO 65205

Phone: 573-387-4400

email: info@sinclairresearch.com

Web address: http://www.sinclairresearch.com/

SourceWatch articles

 * Animal testing
 * Humane Movement
 * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
 * Pharmaceutical industry
 * Proctor & Gamble
 * U.S. Department of Agriculture