Primate Research at UW-Madison Continues Breakthrough Traditions

As a young undergrad in an earlier century at the UW-Madison, I flirted with a psychology major after taking a fascinating course in behavior taught by Prof. Harry Harlowe, founder of the UW Primate Lab.

After ten credits, I gave up on psych - - I had made good grades, but, alas, too much math loomed - - settled on Poli Sci, then English in a Master's program, but never forgot the late Prof. Harlowe and the long-term behavioral research he and his staff were and are doing.

I'm aware that not everyone thinks the Primate Lab is doing important, or even ethical work - - I want to acknowledge that animal rights' controversy without delving into it here - - but I am impressed with the release of findings today from the lab about the relationship of diet and calorie intake to longevity and disease prevention.

This is a huge issue: With a country and health care system sagging under the financial burden of epidemic diabetes and obesity - - especially in an the estimated 30% of US children born after 2000 headed into disease and early death - - the research should spur far more attention to diet as a fundamental preventative health measure and need.