WASHINGTON--The HSUS is calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to end the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research and testing by 2005 and to permanently relocate chimpanzees from research laboratories to suitable sanctuaries.

This request was made in the form of a letter addressed to Secretary Tommy Thompson and also sent to two National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials last month. It followed public comments made recently by a senior NIH official that an end to chimpanzee research in the United States can be envisioned. The official was speaking at the annual American Association for Laboratory Animal Science meeting and was asked by The HSUS how the agency is addressing the fact that other countries are choosing to ban great ape research. This is the first time a government official has publicly indicated that a ban in the United States is a definite possibility.  

However, in response to the letter, an NIH official stated that there are currently no plans for implementing such a strategy.  

“The Humane Society of the United States views the NIH’s statement as unprecedented acknowledgement by the agency that the use of chimpanzees in research is ethically and politically problematic and that a halt to such research is feasible,” said Dr. Martin Stephens, vice president for animal research issues at The HSUS. “Given the anticipated end to chimpanzee use, HHS should immediately develop a plan to end chimpanzee research and to develop alternatives in those research areas for which chimpanzees are currently used.”  

The HSUS will continue to urge the United States to implement a ban and join the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand in officially banning the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research and testing. The U.S., Liberia, Japan, and Gabon are the only countries currently conducting biomedical research and testing on great apes. Importantly, many of the numerous countries that do not conduct research on apes have made a conscious decision to avoid their use.  

An estimated 1,300 chimpanzees who are used, held, bred, or purchased for use in federally supported or conducted research are currently housed in research facilities throughout the United States. Approximately 600 of these chimpanzees are owned by NIH. An analysis conducted by HSUS indicates that 23 institutions received an estimated $20 million to $30 million of federal funding for chimpanzee research projects in 2001 alone. Overall, the end of biomedical research on chimpanzees and the subsequent care of approximately 1,300 chimpanzees in sanctuary facilities will reduce costs to an estimated $7.1 million per year.   

Opinion polls demonstrate that Americans are very concerned about chimpanzees in research laboratories.  A survey conducted by Zogby International for Doris Day Animal League in 2001 indicates that 90% of Americans believe it is unacceptable to confine chimpanzees in government-approved cages, 65% say it is unacceptable to kill these animals for research, and 54% believe that it is unacceptable for chimpanzees to “undergo research which causes them to suffer for human benefit.”  

“There is much debate over the use of apes in research, from an ethical and medical perspective,” according to Stephens. “The scientific results from research conducted on confined apes are likely compromised because the chimpanzees are both stressed and behaviorally abnormal in such settings. It’s widely acknowledged that poor animal welfare equals poor science.”  

The HSUS is not requesting an end to observational or noninvasive behavioral research intended to improve the care and well-being of chimpanzees in captivity. Such studies have shown that apes possess complex mental abilities, including self-conception, anticipation of future events, mathematical skills, tool use and acquisition of languages created by humans. They also experience a range of emotions, including depression, anxiety, pain, distress and empathy.  

Some may argue that chimpanzees are necessary for biomedical research, but that would only be the case because alternatives have not been adequately supported and explored. The HSUS has urged HHS also to allocate funding for the development of alternatives to research for which chimpanzees are currently used.  

The population of chimpanzees in laboratories has decreased over the past decade from approximately 1,800 chimpanzees in 1993; indicating that chimpanzee research is on the decline. Since 1997, three large chimpanzee research laboratories have closed and many of those chimpanzees are now permanently retired at sanctuaries throughout the United States.  

“It is time for the U.S. to realize that the ethical costs of chimpanzee research are too high, and that biomedical research on apes that compromises their health and/or well-being, such as infectious disease research, should be banned in this country,” concluded Stephens. “The government should relocate chimpanzees currently housed in laboratories to appropriate sanctuaries and provide for their lifetime care—it makes sense financially, ethically and scientifically.” Congress has already accepted this reasoning and established a sanctuary program for “retired” chimpanzees.    

The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization with more than eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The HSUS is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices. For more information on The HSUS’ work on animal research issues, visit www.hsus.org.