Retired Lab Chimp Sanctuaries Urged
By G. STEPHEN BIERMAN Jr., Associated Press Writer
Thursday May 18 7:16 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - Scientist Jane Goodall promoted legislation Thursday to create sanctuaries for retired laboratory chimpanzees currently caged and unused at federal research facilities.
"If we choose to ignore their emotions, intelligence and culture, shouldn't we at least give them a chance to live in peace after giving their lives in the quest for human health?'' Goodall asked the House Commerce subcommittee on health and the environment.
The proposed sanctuaries have been recommended by the National Research Council. They are necessary because federal research facilities now have a surplus of chimps, said Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Fla. A report from the council said the facilities have about 1,700 chimpanzees while they need only 600 to 1,000.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health overbred chimpanzees through the 1980s hoping to find a cure for AIDS, said Rep. James Greenwood, R-Pa., the bill's sponsor. He said researchers found the monkeys to be a poor model for study because they rarely contracted full-blown AIDS after being infected with the HIV virus.
The chimpanzees cannot be returned to the wild because most of them carry diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Also, they could be killed by wild chimpanzees who feel their territory has been violated, said Goodall, who since 1960 has been studying primates in Tanzania.
John Strandberg, director of comparative medicine research resources at NIH, said scientists there want to be able to recall chimps from the sanctuary for study
"The bill does not arbitrarily pull the chimps out of research," Goodall said. "Quite the contrary, it enables creation of a more appropriate place for them to live when the scientists have determined that they are no longer useful for research.
A Department of Health and Human Services advisory board composed of animal rights activists and scientists would oversee HHS's operation of the sanctuary. HHS would put up $30 million for construction of the sanctuary and require a 10 percent match from private sector researchers who utilize chimps.
Officials said Louisiana and Florida are potential sites for the sanctuaries because of their climate.
Alert Archive
- Coulston Faces Hard Times
- FEDS ACCUSE CHIMP-KEEPERS
- USDA FILES CHARGES IN CHIMPANZEE DEATHS
- Jane Goodall letter to NIH regarding Charles River and The Coulston Foundation
- Reports Confirming Coulston Violations
- Chronology of Events Relating to The Coulston Foundation
- Statement of Suzanne Roy, In Defense of Animals, at the January 9, 2001 Press Conference Sponsored by Animal Protection New Mexico Regarding the Coulston Foundation
- State Officials Seek Legislation Voiding Coulston Lab's Research Exemption
- Complaint Regarding Sole-Sourcing to former NIH Official Dr. Lou Sibal
- Chronology of Sibal Misrepresentations
- IDA Receives Internal Memo
- Jane Goodall Promotes Chimpanzee Sanctuaries
Press Release Archive
- February 6, 2002:
Coulston sells two baby chimpanzees to animal trainer with questionable record IDA News Release - January 8, 2002:
Coulston Foundation faces foreclosure IDA News Release - December 12, 2001:
FDA Order Crushes Coulston Reputation IDA News Release - More news in our archive
Related Links
- Coulston Campaign Overview
- The "Spirit of the Mission Award"
- Campaign Milestones
- Chronology
- Chimpanzee List
- Chimpanzee Deaths at Coulston
- In Memoriam: Donna
- Quotes from Frederick Coulston
- IDA Testimony to Congress
- What You Can Do
- Coulston Foundation Financial Information
- Coulston FDA Violations
Resources
- In Defense of Animals
- Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care
- Jane Goodall Institute
- Animal Protection Institute of New Mexico
We welcome your feedback and appreciate your donations. Please join today! All donations to IDA are tax-deductible.