"They have hidden in these fortresses," saysPETA's Simmons. "It gives credence to the argumentthat they do indeed have something to hide."

Contentions about the uselessness of animaltesting are denied by many prominent Harvardscientists, including Nobel laureate David H.Hubel, Enders University professor ofneurobiology, whose research on vision in monkeyshelped prevent the most common cause of blindnessin children.

Wiles says that as long as animals researchcontinues, all parties involved should try to workto make the animals as comfortable as possible.

And at least in Cambridge, it seems thatefforts are being made to that effect. Primatesare given televisions to watch and toys to playwith to ensure their "psychological wellbeing."

"They do keep up the place pretty well,"Fennessy says.

The reports of Wiles's inspections of the FASanimals laboratories verify what Lage call theUniversity's "humane use of animals."

The commissioner's report of a surpriseinspection on April 23,1991 notes, "observedprimates sucking/swallowing studies. Veryimpressed with care."

On May 14,1991, on an announced visit, Wiles"observed a baby monkey being nursed. Happy andbonded to the Prof.--recent surgical procedurefully healed."

And from the most recent commissioner's report,documenting a surprise visit on June 2,1992,"post-surgical rats observed. Nothing seen thatindicated any problems or discomfort. Seemed quitenormal."

However normal or impressive, research inCambridge only constitutes a small percentage ofHarvard's animal research. Most of the workhappens across the Charles River, at the MedicalArea in Boston, where there is one less layer ofregulation, and where government research fundingis plentiful.

Money is a key to animal research, which can becostly.

According to Charles River Breeding inWilmington, prices can range from $2.10 for a 20gram mouse to more than $100 for a high-quality,rare rat. While Harvard qualifies for bulkdiscounts, the prices can add up.

"We do a lot of business with Harvard. They'rea good customer," says an employee of CharlesRiver Breeding.

Simmons says the U.S. spends $8 billion a yearin public funds on animal research.

In fact, copies of Harvard direct cost grantbudgets, obtained by The Crimson from theDepartment of Health and Human Services under aFreedom of Information act lawsuit filed on thepaper's behalf by the public Citizen LitigationGroup, show that many medical school researchprojects include animal costs.