Be a Champion for Chimps: Support the Great Ape Protection Act!

Recently, a bill was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives that could end invasive research on an estimated 1,200 chimpanzees and, if passed, would prohibit such experiments on all great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans). Known as the Great Ape Protection Act, it would also prohibit the transport and breeding of great apes for the purpose of invasive research, and transfer those who are already in federally funded laboratories to permanent retirement facilities. According to the bill, care for great apes in a research laboratory can range from $300,000 to $500,000, whereas the cost of providing sanctuary is approximately $275,000 per animal.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns (D-NY), David Reichert (R-DC), Jim Langevin (D-RI), and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), and currently has four co-sponsors. Interestingly, Representative Bartlett has roots in animal research, as he worked with two of the first chimpanzees in space; yet he now believes that “…the time has come to limit invasive research on these animals and rigorously apply existing alternatives.”

The bill defines ‘invasive research’ as any experiment that may cause “death, bodily injury, pain, distress, fear, injury, or trauma,” including psychological experiments of social deprivation and isolation. Recognizing the sentience of these animals, Representative Langevin stated, “I am so proud to be a sponsor of this legislation. I am moved by the sophisticated social and emotional capacity chimpanzees exhibit and believe we have an obligation to do all we can to protect their welfare.”

Concurring with his colleagues, Representative Reichert added, “I’m excited to bring this bill to the attention of the House with hopes of phasing out the inhumane and unproductive practice of invasive research on great apes.”

It is high time for a ban such as this in the U.S. Currently, six countries have either banned or severely limited the use of great apes in research projects, including Australia, Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. In addition, Great Britain stopped granting licenses for chimpanzee research in 1997, and the Balearic Islands granted legal rights to great apes in 2007.

What You Can Do!

The Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 5852) already has bipartisan backing in the House of Representatives, with 18 current co-sponsors, but it needs more support to move forward. Please ask your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor this important legislation that would end invasive research on great apes. Let him/her know that this bill is an important step towards more effective and humane science and that similar bills have already been passed in European countries.

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