Beaufort County lab cited after 22 monkey deaths; lawmaker urges federal probe
YEMASSEE, S.C. (WJCL) — A recent inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has revealed troubling findings at a South Carolina research facility, Alpha Genesis, after a whistleblower reported multiple monkey deaths.
The inspection, prompted by animal rights group PETA, found that 22 monkeys died from carbon dioxide poisoning caused by a malfunctioning heating unit at the facility.
The USDA’s report, which was released after a thorough investigation, cited Alpha Genesis for the deaths, but also praised the facility’s staff for their “swift actions” that saved 32 of the 54 monkeys exposed to the harmful CO2 leak.
According to Dr. Alka Chandna, PETA’s vice president of laboratory investigations, the lab had long been on their radar.
“They’ve long been on our radar,” Chandna told WJCL during an interview. “This is just one example of their negligence.”
The tragic incident took place in November 2024.
In a statement responding to the citations, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard expressed respect for the USDA’s findings but criticized PETA’s claims. He called PETA an “extremist organization,”
We respect the USDA inspection report dated 12/12/2024. This report followed a thorough review of the facts by a professional team of experts in the field of animal welfare and represents the official regulatory findings in this matter. We have no comment on the incendiary garbage that PETA puts out on a daily basis in regards to medical research, or PETA’s opposition to the millions of people in this country who own pets, are not vegans, enjoy rodeos, hunt and fish, vaccinate their children, or in any other way disagree with the beliefs of an extremist organization that does not represent the views held by the vast majority of the American people.
-Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard
PETA, however, contends that the deaths could have been preventable and alleges that the monkeys may have also suffered from extreme heat exposure.
The incident has also caught the attention of lawmakers. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace has called for a federal inquiry into the facility, urging further scrutiny of the lab’s practices.
