Tell Congress to End Chimpanzee Experiments

Chimpanzees—humans' closest living genetic relatives—are extremely social, intelligent individuals who have rich mental and emotional lives. They have incredible memories, they share cultural traditions that are passed down through generations, they care deeply for their families and friends, and they grieve the loss of their loved ones when they pass away.

Sadly, more than 900 of these remarkable beings are imprisoned in U.S. laboratories, where they are forced to endure decades of invasive procedures as well as fear, loneliness, and pain. This hellish experience leaves lifelong emotional scars on chimpanzees, and many of them resort to self-mutilation or suffer from depression and other psychological disorders after experiencing the trauma of having their minds and bodies violated.

Despite international criticism, the U.S. remains the only nation in the industrialized world that continues to conduct invasive experiments on chimpanzees.

Many of these chimpanzees have been intentionally infected with diseases such as HIV and hepatitis—even though scientists agree that they are archaic and unreliable models for researching human illnesses. A landmark National Academy of Sciences report examining the scientific validity of experiments on chimpanzee has even concluded that "most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees is not necessary." In response, the National Institutes of Health has announced that it will suspend consideration of funding for any new experiments on chimpanzees. The agency has also stated that all currently funded experiments on chimpanzees will be reevaluated and that funding for many may be ended.

Further to these efforts, Congress has introduced the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513/S. 810), which would permanently end the use of chimpanzees—and all other great apes—in invasive experiments and retire more than 600 federally owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries where they could live in peace at last.

Please help protect chimpanzees and other great apes now by asking your congressional representatives to cosponsor and support the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act.

To learn how you can send a letter to your Senators and Resprestative, please visit PETA now.