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.
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