Research Project That Caused Baboon Injuries Is Halted

WASHINGTON — A medical research project that inflicted head injuries on laboratory baboons was suspended by the government Thursday after a preliminary investigation showed mistreatment of the animals.

Margaret M. Heckler, secretary of health and human services, ordered the project stopped after receiving a report from the National Institutes of Health indicating “material failure to comply” with guidelines requiring humane treatment of laboratory animals.

Animal rights activists, who had occupied offices at institutes for the last four days, hailed the decision and ended their sit-in protest.

Heckler noted that “serious concerns” have been raised about animal treatment at the University of Pennsylvania head injury clinical research center in Philadelphia. The project receives about $1 million a year in federal funds.

She said an investigative team from the institutes gave her a preliminary report Thursday. University officials said they had not yet seen the report and therefore had no immediate comment on it.