British scientists are to take the world’s first hard look at whether monkeys should continue to be used in biological and medical research.

The investigation, by four science organisations, follows a campaign of sometimes violent protests by animal rights activists, which researchers say threatens investment and jobs.

Genetics expert David Weatherall, who will chair the working group, said on Wednesday a rigorous scientific assessment was needed to see if there were alternatives to using monkeys.

New technology, in particular the development of genetically modified mice bred with human genes, might provide a better model for studying diseases in some cases, he added.

“Some of the mouse models produced have really been surprisingly good,” Weatherall told reporters.

“We hope to establish areas where alternatives, such as genetically modified mice or computer modelling, might be an appropriate option. Equally the study will examine areas of research where there is likely to be continuing need.”

Around 3,000 primates - mainly macaque and marmoset monkeys - are used in experiments in Britain each year. That compares with a total for all animals of around 2.6 million, of which the vast majority are mice and rats.

Campaigners in animal-loving Britain say researchers should avoid using primates altogether, given their capacity to experience fear, pain and suffering.

Activists last year forced a project to build a Cambridge primate laboratory to be scrapped, while work on another animal research laboratory at Oxford University was halted after threats to staff and shareholders of contractor Montpellier Group.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc and AstraZeneca Plc, Britain’s two biggest drugmakers, have both said that extremists are deterring investment in the sector.

Weatherall said he hoped to complete his report by the end of this year or early next.

His working group - which will not include any scientists working directly in primate research - was set up by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.