Ending Research on Captive Chimpanzees
Filed Comments in Opposition to Captive Chimpanzee testing
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed comments to the National Institutes of Health urging the agency to adopt a proposal to severely restrict research on captive chimpanzees.
Status
Next Step
Case Closed
After decades of scrutiny and pressure from animal rights groups, the general public and, increasingly, the international community, in 2010 the National Institute of Health (NIH) requisitioned a study from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examine the use of chimpanzees in NIH-funded behavioral and biomedical research.
That report, issued one year later in December 2011, concluded that “most current biomedical use of chimpanzees is unnecessary” and suggested that future research on chimpanzees be limited. Following this IOM study, a working group was tasked with reviewing the proposals and advising on their implementation.
92% of drugs tested on animals fail to meet the standards for human use, and this rate is growing, not improving.
Food and Drug Administration
Another report was then published in January 2013. The NIH published this report as part of a “Request for Information” through which it sought public comment on the recommendations.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, together with pro bono legal counsel from the law firm of Proskauer Rose, filed comments to NIH urging the agency to adopt a proposal to severely restrict research on captive chimpanzees by defunding chimpanzee research and retiring chimpanzees to the federal sanctuary system — and to go even further by banning all federal support for chimpanzee research on the grounds that it is both ineffective and unethical.
In November 2015, the NIH announced that “we’ve reached a tipping point” in terms of public attitude and demand from researchers, and that the agency would no longer support the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research.
Actions
-
Donate to Protect Animals
Take Action NowHelp animals win the legal protections they so desperately need and deserve, and ensure they have an advocate in courtrooms and legislatures across the country.
Recent News
-
Federal Government Sued for Critical Information Related to Puerto Rico Zoo’s Terminated License
Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park has been illegally operating without federal license for more than a year.April 4, 2019 Press Release -
Animal Advocacy Group Calls on Puerto Rican Officials to Protect Animals Languishing at Troubled State Zoo
Complaint urges the Puerto Rican government to investigate and revoke any permits granted to the Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park and immediately send the animals there to sanctuaries, due to the Endangered Species Act and cruelty violations.October 24, 2018 Press Release -
Though Denied by New York Court of Appeals, Habeas Corpus Claim for Chimpanzees Prompts Reflection
On May 8, 2018, the New York Court of Appeals denied the Nonhuman Rights Project’s (NhRP) motion to review a lower court’s ruling that two caged chimpanzees were not subject to the law of habeas corpus.September 7, 2018 Animal Law Update
Related Cases
-
Urging the Extension of Endangered Status to Captive Chimpanzees
Public Comments Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
-
Urging Stronger Protections for Animals Used in Research
Submitted Comments to APHIS
-
Protecting the Psychological Well-being of Primates Used in Research
New England Anti-Vivisection Society v. Perdue
Looking for case and legal resources? View Resources
See More
You Can Protect Animals
Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has led the charge to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your generous gift will assure that we can continue to take on cases that advance the interests of animals.