» Chimpanzee Research

The APS supports NIH’s efforts to utilize a science-based approach to resolve issues related to future research and care of chimpanzees, President Dr. Susan M. Barman said in a letter to Dr. James Anderson, Director of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. Nevertheless, the APS concluded that the report was “deeply flawed.”

A last-minute push to bring the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (GAPCSA) to the Senate floor during the lame duck session hit a roadblock when Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced that he had placed a “hold” on the bill.

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has endorsed to the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011 (S. 810). This bill would eliminate virtually all biomedical and much behavioral research involving chimpanzees, the only great ape species utilized in health research.

This legislation will not save money; it contradicts the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine; and it would end research to benefit human and animal health. (PDF)

Chimpanzees in biomedical research colonies are “responsibly managed, well-regulated, and offer a resource of international value that benefits the health of humans and supports wild ape conservation efforts,” the APS told the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

On December 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its long-awaited report, “Assessing the Necessity of Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research.” Following a briefing where the key findings were presented, NIH Director Francis Collins announced that NIH accepted the report and would begin implementing its recommendations.

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513) would ban virtually all research with chimpanzees, thus ending ongoing research into vaccines for Hepatitis C in humans as well as vaccines to protect apes in the wild from diseases such as Ebola.

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act is based on false assertions about the treatment of chimpanzees in research, fails to take into account scientific needs for chimpanzee studies of human and animal diseases, and cannot substantiate its claims of cost-saving. (PDF)

The cost per day of maintaining a chimp at the Chimp Haven Sanctuary for animals no longer needed in research is equivalent to or higher than the average cost of maintaining them in government research facilities.

An outline of the vital role played by chimpanzees in biomedical research, collected by National Association for Biomedical Research. (PDF)

The research resource center for the National Institutes of Health discusses its chimpanzee management program.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) issued a statement from its Board of Directors epressing opposition to the Great Ape Protection Act. (PDF)

The American Veterinary Medical Association explains its opposition to the Great Ape Protection Act.

A letter signed by 30 scientific societies, including APS, expressing concerns about the Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA). (PDF)

A letter signed by 16 scientific societies expressing their opposition to the Great Ape Protection Act to members of Congress.

FASEB offers analysis of the Institute of Medicine report on hepatitis research and why chimpanzee research remains critical to public health. (PDF)

FASEB President Bill Talman discusses the value of chimpanzee research on South California Public Radio.