The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513/S.810) has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives and Senate with bipartisan support.
The Act would phase out testing for about 1,000 chimpanzees currently in U.S. labs, along with retiring 500 federally owned chimpanzees, which will save taxpayers approximately $30 million annually.
Additionally, it would end transport and breeding programs for all great apes intended for research, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons, along with banning federally funded chimpanzee breeding programs.
Passage of this legislation will also mark an epic milestone for animals by making this the first time a species has been exempted from invasive research in the U.S.
Given what we know about the intelligence, sensitivity, complex emotional lives and social needs of primates, along with the inaccuracy of test results obtained from biomedical research using animals, it's long past time to end the inhumane practice of using of our fellow primates in research and move towards not only scientifically sound, but ethically justifiable practices.
As someone who cares about animals and the state of our economy, I respectfully urge you to support the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513/S.810).
Not only will this Act phase out testing for about 1,000 chimps currently being held in U.S. labs, along with retiring 500 federally owned chimps, it will also save taxpayers millions every year.
Passage of this legislation will also mark an epic milestone for the U.S. and animals by making this the first time a species has been exempted from invasive research in this country.
Given what we know about the intelligence, sensitivity, complex emotional lives and social needs of primates, along with the inaccuracy of test results obtained from biomedical research, it's clear that it's long past time to end the inhumane practice of using our fellow primates in research and move towards not only scientifically sound, but ethically and fiscally justifiable alternatives.
Please support this important piece of legislation.
