Amelia Templeton

The Oregon National Primate Research Center is one of seven facilities in the U.S.

that provide monkeys to scientists working on government-funded research.

It's home to more than 5,000 monkeys and played a part in IVF and new treatments for cancer.

Now the Trump administration has taken the position that animal models are no longer at the cutting edge of research, and the National Institutes of Health has asked to start talks about making the center near Portland a sanctuary for retired research animals instead.

Leaders in Oregon plan to decide next week whether to start those talks and agree to an immediate pause on monkey breeding at the facility.

For NPR News, I'm Amelia Templeton in Portland.