Science

Is This the End of Chimpanzee-Tested Research?

There are only two countries left in the world that conduct medical research on chimpanzees: Gabon and the United States. But the potential for a Planet of the Apes-type scenario could come to an end by the end of the year, as a committee is reviewing the value of chimpanzee research, which has been declining in popularity for both ethical and scientific reasons.
Committee Looking Into Scientific Value of Chimpanzee Research

In early 2011, the National Institute of Health requested that the Institute of Medicine, the highest scientific body, examine the scientific value — and the scientific value only — of chimp research. But as reported by the Washington Post, after a public meeting last week the committee said ethical issues can not be put aside:

“We wouldn’t be having this meeting if ethics wasn’t an issue,” Frans de Waal told the IOM committee. The Emory University researcher, whose pioneering studies with captive chimpanzees have revealed their human-like empathy, continued, “We don’t have this kind of meeting about rats.”
On the flip side, other scientists see continued value for chimp research. New Scientist has more:
Ajit Varki at the University of California, San Diego, who has extensively reviewed the biomedical differences between humans and chimpanzees, concludes that chimpanzees and humans handle diseases differently despite their nearly identical genes and proteins.
Nevertheless, Varki argues that this is actually a reason to continue ethically studying chimpanzees: if we can figure out why diseases manifest themselves differently in chimps and people despite such high genetic similarity, we can better understand how to treat those diseases.

Due to their genetic similarity — the genetic code of humans and chimpanzees is 98 percent similar — chimps have been used in pharmaceutical research. Consequently, chimpanzee medical research has resulted in vaccines for hepatitis A and B, as well as some insight into HIV.

However, the Washington Post reports that due to expense and better technology, chimpanzee research is becoming less popular:

From 2007 to 2010, the number of biomedical chimp studies conducted in the United States declined from 53 to 32, said Robert Purcell, a virus researcher at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of [the National Institute of Health]. Just one of those studies involved HIV — which in the 1980s and 1990s was extensively studied in apes. None of the studies involved cancer.

[. . .]

One big reason for the drop: Drug companies are forgoing chimp studies. In 2008, GlaxoSmithKline announced it would no longer use any apes. Biotech giant Genentech also ended the practice, said Theresa Reynolds, director of drug safety assessment at the company. “With advances in technology, chimps are no longer necessary” for developing high-tech drugs called monoclonal antibodies, she said. Before the Institute of Medicine meeting, Reynolds informally polled executives at “six or eight” other biotech firms; none use chimps.

Last year the European Union banned chimpanzee research. In 2007, the United States stopped breeding chimpanzees for research.
There are currently 1,000 chimps in 10 facilities in the country.

Comments (52)

  • Hiswill
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:33am

    It is time to stop letting those with a financial interest in continuing chimpanzee use dominate the decision-making on this issue. Thanks to Sen. Maria Cantwell, others can have a say by supporting The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act. The bill would end invasive research on chimpanzees and retire government-owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries, while saving taxpayers approximately $30 million each year.
    There is one such santuary in Cle Elum WA. They will soon be opening up a2 acre natural Habitat enclosure for the chips they rescue. They have seven apes so far and hope to save more.

    Report Post » Hiswill  
  • ying
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:15am

    Want to know the REAL reason? I am in contact with someone who does, and has been doing, studies on chimpanzees and bonobos. Her expertise is communicating with them. I am also friends with her family, who she tells of events. They have taught the chimps and bonobos to use computers, and they are VERY smart, and precise with their descriptions of items, people, and other animals. They used to have an african local who worked at the lab, and would come in and clean up. The apes threw krap at him. When she asked one of them why they did it, the ape replied that the cleanup person was also an ape and that he did not like that he was on the other side of the cage because his status was far below his own. She asked another one why they did it, and that ape said he was a pig AND ape, and was below her in status. This is one reason why african tribesmen are cutting off hands of apes in the wild, another reason they are doing it is because apes use them as slaves. Am I a racist because I have said this? Am I allowed to speak the truth, or shall I fear the truth? Frankly, I‘m sick and tired of lying and pretending that these events aren’t happening.

    Report Post » ying  
    • ying
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:26am

      She cannot possibly be the only person communicating with them who has been told this by the apes. If they told her team this, then they have told other teams as well. This is obviously information they don’t want getting out!

      Report Post » ying  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:43pm

      .
      “Koko, bad news, no more research, we’re going to have to lay you off.
      But the good news is they’re hiring Czars at the White House.”

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
  • Ladytrucker
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:54pm

    haha i guess that the old planet of the apes movies didn’t scare anyone back then, but this newer one is more believable…..thanks hollywood.

    Report Post »  
  • affinnity
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 7:42pm

    Who cares?

    Report Post » affinnity  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:03pm

      who cares? I do. You have ice in your veins. The wholesale slaughter of animals shows the mindset of barbarians. We don’t need animals to test on for various diseases. IT IS A FACT: there is a medicine in plants for what ever ails a mammal. ANY kind of disease bar none.

      Maybe the wholesale slaughter of humanity is not such a bad thing. The lack of civility and compassion is beyond disgusting.

      Report Post » CulperGang  
    • ying
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:29am

      Uh, culpergang, I agree with you on the slaughter issue, but testing is also done on animal/human communication. And THAT is what they are really stopping. Don’t think for a second that they care at all about the humane issues.

      Report Post » ying  
  • 3monkeysmomma
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 4:03pm

    I think Obama’s economic policies should be chimp tested. It could only make for improvement.

    Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
    • Roz Anders
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:53pm

      I think Obama should be tested … to see if he’s a chimp. I already know he’s a chump.

      Report Post »  
    • ying
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:16am

      Want to know the REAL reason? I am in contact with someone who does, and has been doing, studies on chimpanzees and bonobos. Her expertise is communicating with them. I am also friends with her family, who she tells of events. They have taught the chimps and bonobos to use computers, and they are VERY smart, and precise with their descriptions of items, people, and other animals. They used to have an african local who worked at the lab, and would come in and clean up. The apes threw krap at him. When she asked one of them why they did it, the ape replied that the cleanup person was also an ape and that he did not like that he was on the other side of the cage because his status was far below his own. She asked another one why they did it, and that ape said he was a pig AND ape, and was below her in status. This is one reason why african tribesmen are cutting off hands of apes in the wild, another reason they are doing it is because apes use them as slaves.

      Report Post » ying  
  • LouiseCA
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Three things..First, I ditto the post above which told ALL of you racists to leave this sight. You are giving a bad name to conservatism. You do not belong here and I wish the moderator would remove your posts. Second, I do not believe that chimps have the intelligence of a 5-year-old. They have some intelligence, but have you ever been around a pure-bred Labrador or German Shepherd dog? Please. These dogs are incredible in what they can do and much of it is instinctive. Third, obviously, we cannot discontinue the use of animals in research, but it should be done in the most humane way as is possible and these labratories should be monitored constantly to make certain that they are. I love animals and the thought of any animal being tortured is abhorent and distressing to me.

    Report Post »  
  • DREDGE
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 2:05pm

    Plenty of next generation chimps in all of our jails!!!!!
    Lets use them for the benefit of society!

     
    • spirited
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 3:47pm

      Vile…..

      >No excuses

      Report Post » spirited  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Let me replace “next generation chimps” with the word Jews and let me replace the word “prisons” with concentration camps and see how that sounds, you moronic waste of human flesh. You people constantly point fingers at others who don’t share your views, using the “N” word (Nazi) at every person who is trying to better this country for all of its citizens yet they irony is that it is YOU who are the Nazis. Glenn Beck talks about the perfect storm but it is he who is creating it and it is he who is becoming what he warns you about. Glenn Beck is dangerously close to becoming the Hitler he warns you about.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
  • leary1
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:26pm

    don`t need no stinkin chimps, you got obama!!

     
    • robert
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:54pm

      Little animals should NEVER have been used in any kind of testing or experiments in the first place. Personally I believe that any of these geek “scientists” who utilize that kind of experimentation should be subjected to the same things themselves.

      Another lowly practise is the murdering of literally millions of little stray dogs and cats by so-called civilized societies throughout the US, expecially when it would be perfectly feasible to have a spau/neuter program in place for less money, which would make rounding up and murdering these little creatures completely unnecessary.

      Report Post »  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 4:20pm

      Here you go. Another one. Another racist Glenn Beck Nazi.

      FoxholeAtheist  
    • affinnity
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 7:41pm

      FoxholeAtheist. Had sex with any of your female ape cousins lately or are you too gay? Go die and rot in a hole Butt Head.

      Report Post » affinnity  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:41am

      You are living proof that the pee party is another name for Nazi.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:01pm

    “With advances in technology, chimps are no longer necessary.”

    Yea, I bet.

    You’re just treating all HUMANS as chimpanzees in a gigantic experiment now, spraying us with heavy metals and other garbage from airplanes, designing genetically modified plants/animals/diseases, etc.

    Lying to us about the radiation risk of NUCLEAR MELTDOWN IN JAPAN that is STILL HAPPENING and is WORSE THAN CHERNOBYL…

    I mean, I can’t even get started. This article is ridiculous.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • bill oswald
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:07am

    Is that a Chimpanzee or a recent photo of Kieth Oberdork.

    Report Post »  
  • Mr Galt
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:45am

    I work in the biochemistry field, and some of the researchers I work with have been working on software models to try and screen new drugs for possible deleterious effects on humans.

    Having said that, I can tell you that after working on and with that software, it is BY NO MEANS a substitute for animal testing! Numerical models – highly touted by the incompetent policy makers – are still fairly primitive in their ability to predict serious side-effects in people.

    This is really scary stuff.

    Report Post »  
    • LouC57
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:19am

      Mr Galt,

      All due respect to you and those in your field, and I DO understand where you’re coming from.
      I worked in the opposite field during college (caretaking for 70 monkeys for behavioral studies at UT/Austin.I despise and vehemently oppose testing on chimpanzees. Why? They have the intelligence of a 4-5 year old human minus speaking ability. 2) HIV studies went on with chimps for decades–not ONE, not ONE converted into Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. 3) Chimps are social, in labs they’re separated, unable to even reach to touch another chimp which is comforting. 4) Many thousands of chimpanzees used in bio-med research have been driven insane.

      NO I’m an NOT a “greenie, PETA loving person.” and No, I do not think animals should have the same rights as humans. I do totally disagree with use of great apes and monkeys as human guinea pigs. That said, the big pharma’s are shoving drugs down our throats, decreasing the “norm” for diabetes in laboratories all over the country so that more people will “be diabetic” for $$$ only.

      And, by the way, I‘m an RN who’s not an organ donor–the reason–I worked with 2 men who died for absurd reasons when they were taken off transplant lists for minor rule infractions (one had to use the bathroom, had his light on for help getting out of bed, after 1.5 hours and no help came, so he went. They kicked him off the program–a father of 5 young kids. etc)
      Sorry, I don‘t’ mean to sound harsh, but this one issue gets to m

      Report Post »  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:21pm

      Galt. Study plants…………use already sick people or animals to test the validity of the plants effects.

      To take healthy living organs/animal and destroy it is barbaric. It is not a sign of advancement….it is a step backwards.

      Report Post » CulperGang  
  • DanielBurke
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:43am

    Looks like I may have lost some work here.

    Report Post » DanielBurke  
  • Hisemiester
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:27am

    probably so, now that one is in the white house sitting in the presidents chair. pure and simple.

     
  • BurntHills
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:40am

    THANK GOD it is over.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • joe1234
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:40am

      why? they’re chimps, not humans…who cares, just so the treatment of human disease advances.

      Report Post » joe1234  
    • LouC57
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:20am

      Amen

      Report Post »  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:26am

    Too bad they didn’t stop research on chimps 3 years ago, then Obama would have not made to the White House!

    gmoneytx  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:34pm

      All racists remove yourself from this site. Nothing you have to say is welcome.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • gmoneytx
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 6:07pm

      Hey HISWILL, blow me!…BWY are you such a p*$$y that you won’t let anyone reply to your posts…you too afraid of feedback! Left wing wiener!

      Report Post » gmoneytx  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:06pm

      gumwaby
      You are a disgusting person, but I’m still putting you at the top of my prayer list today. God Bless you and your family.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
  • Christian Kalgaard
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:22am

    PETA would rather test on humans, eh?
    OK, from now on lets test dangerous new chemicals solely on on PETA-members !

    Report Post » Christian Kalgaard  
  • oldbullsfan
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:47am

    Enough with the Obama pictures and stories already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

    Report Post »  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:55am

    We elected one in 08 who is experementing with all of us. I think its time to bring it to an end.

     
  • MollyTheWhiteWolf
    Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:16am

    I’ll say this, if you care so much about stopping animal testing, you had better be donating YOUR body for research. If YOU can’t do this, stop whining, you selfish hypocrite! I love animals, but I understand that it’s better that some animals die than to put human beings at risk.
    Whatever. I’d rather work with rats than chimps (or most humans, for that matter). They‘re cuter and they can’t bite-off your fingers or rip your face off. They’re also not twice as stong as a normal human or flig their mess at you. Plus, you can smile at a rat and it doesn‘t matter if it’s interpreted as a threatening gesture, because you’re bigger and stronger (although a mouse can cling to your finger, if it really wants to…personal experience).
    Also, all mammals posses the same “high-tier” emotions that we associate only with humans, not just chimps. This is why you dog comes to see you when you’re in a bad mood. I can tell you that it’s true, because I’ve raised (not bred) mice for about 20 years, had four dogs, and two cats in my entire life. My birds and fish never showed any real emotional connection to the humans in my family.
    Lastly, it’s sad to see a world that is angry about hurting a few animals, but calls killing a pre-born child a choice. It may sound “specie-ist,” but I prioritize humans before animals

    Report Post » MollyTheWhiteWolf  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 11:58pm

    Much of this can be done now in computer simulation and hopefully as more is understood about biochemistry and more powerful computers, use of animals can end. Non-medical study is still something that should be continued as long as its very strictly monitored and enforced.

    Animals may not talk, but they do have feelings, they do feel pain, loneliness, fear and misery… they are no different then people in their emotional and physical responses. Sure they may not be as intelligent as people, but its no less a reason not to have compassion and respect.

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • MollyTheWhiteWolf
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:23am

      The problem is that computer programs can only react according to their programming. It‘s true that we’ve learned a lot about how the human body works, but there‘s still so much that we don’t understand, such as chemical reactions when added to an enviroment such as a living organism. You can’t predict the unknown, but the unknown can cost someone their life. Live test subjects can help with that. As I’ve always believed, if you are so concerned for the animals, you have better donate your body to science to compensate.

      Report Post » MollyTheWhiteWolf  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 11:50pm

    About time… leave these wonderful animals alone.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • joe1234
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:42am

      those ‘wonderful’ animals would rip your face off if they could get a hold of you…

      joe1234  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:32pm

      We dominate lower animals because WE CAN. It doesn’t make it right. I’m very happy to hear Chimp use in research is coming to an end.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Joe123
      These animals did not ask to be torn from their mothers in the wild to be sold to labs. They would be very happy to live out their lives in the wild, so they won’t be tearing your face off if you leave them there.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • joe1234
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:11pm

      hiswill…yes it does make it right…if we have sacrifice a few animals for the treatment of disease I think thats wonderful..

      and that chicken or steak you had for dinner didn’t want to be your dinner…why don’t you put your money where your holier-than-thou mouth is, and give up all meat, leather, and drugs that have ever been tested on animals…

      but you won’t you hypocrite.

      Report Post » joe1234  
    • joe1234
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:12pm

      @hiswill that statement about they won’t rip your face off if you leave them in the wild is assinine. pathetically stupid. should we just cower inside so the wild animals won’t get us??

      Report Post » joe1234  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 11:45pm

    Democrats are not close enough to human beings to be used as subjects. They also are too lazy to perform any tasks or tests. They cannot function without a talking point so they would be like doing research on a bunch of slugs.

    Report Post »  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on August 18, 2011 at 3:04am

      Hahahahah! You gave me the laugh I badly needed today, with all the bad news going around. Seriously, though, I have heard of criminals on death row volunteering for live medical testing. Maybe it’s a way for them to give something back in return for the life/lives they took. At least they have the option to decline to participate. The chimps do not.

      Reminds me of a joke I heard where they were replacing lab rats with lawyers. The reason? The lab researchers did not get as attached to the lawyers as they did to the rats . . . and there were some things, even a rat would not do . . .

      Yeah, I know–I’m a mean old lady with a sick sense of humor. I’m afraid that has been a failing of mine my entire life. The sick sense of humor, I mean–not the mean old lady part. That has only happened recently . . .

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
  • LinkedIn G
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 11:01pm

    chimpanzees and humans handle diseases differently despite their nearly identical genes and proteins…That’s of the 10 % of the DNA chain scientists actually understand. There are switches that turn on or off…and portions they don’t have a clue about. They just know more than most people…so they can con the public and justify research grants.

    Report Post » LinkedIn G  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 10:50pm

    Should be, I think we ought to use Democrats. Nah, they couldn’t pass the tests.

    Report Post »  

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