In the next few years the NIH will close 16 chimpanzee studies as recommended by an internal working group’s report, released on Tuesday. NIH has been working finding shelters for the Chimps as reported in an earlier post. They will be allowed to keep 50 chimpanzees to be ” maintained in a colony sensitive to their social and physical needs, should they be required for new research.”
Chronicle article: January 22, 201 by Paul Voosen NIH Report Advises End to Most Chimp Studies Supported by the Agency.
Thank you for sharing this, Julia! As an animal lover, I’m often dismayed by the use of animals in research. One of my best friends in college was a biology major and created animal-free credit-earning lab projects, so she and subsequent animal-loving biologists could earn the credit without working on animals. I am glad to see the NIH helping these chimps. There are some heartbreaking videos available online, e.g. of research beagles who’ve been rescued and are taking their first steps on outside on grass. Some day I hope technology/simulation can completely replace the use of animals!
Thanks Lydia. It was also on the national news last night and Inquirer this morning. It is heartbreaking.