Saturday, July 05, 2025, 6:21PM | 
MENU
Advertisement

Chimp-free labs: An NIH panel takes a humane stand on research

Chimp-free labs: An NIH panel takes a humane stand on research

The National Institutes of Health has taken a big step toward the humane treatment of animals. Last week, a committee of scientists recommended that the use of chimpanzees in federally funded research be halted.

In 2011 the NIH's Institute of Medicine declared that most biomedical research use of chimpanzees, which have close genetic proximity to humans, was unnecessary. At that point the agency called for further study and curtailed new grants on work that would have involved chimpanzees.

On Jan. 22 the institute's Council of Councils Working Group made its recommendations, which are likely to lead to a final decision by April. High-speed computer simulation and other technology, it said, have made what many consider a morally dubious practice irrelevant.

Advertisement

The council also urged that all but 50 of the 451 chimps funded by the federal government be retired from laboratories and sent to an animal sanctuary. The remaining 50 would be kept in better, more spacious enclosures for possible research only if experiments on them were the sole way to study a human health threat.

The recommendations are a victory for animal rights advocates and others who have protested what they consider the barbaric treatment of chimpanzees in the name of science. The fact that some chimps are still available for experiments makes it a less-than-complete triumph, however.

Although tests on chimpanzees have helped scientists develop the hepatitis A and B vaccines, understand the role played by salt in high blood pressure and devise antibodies for the treatment of cancers, there are alternative ways of gaining such knowledge.

Let's hope the NIH follows the advice of its council and accepts this reality.

Advertisement

First Published: January 31, 2013, 5:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the game at PNC Park on May 21, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1
sports
Pirates trade rumors: What the Post-Gazette is hearing as MLB’s deadline approaches
Students walk across the campus of the Community College of Beaver County in Center Township on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
2
news
Congress wrestled over Pell Grants in the big bill. These Pittsburgh-area colleges have the most Pell-eligible students.
Anti-ICE protesters in downtown San Antonio recently. Adriana Ramirez wonders if she leave America now, before she gets deported for getting arrested as a 19-year-old.
3
opinion
Adriana E. Ramírez: Maybe we should leave before I get deported
The Washington Wild Things and the Joliet Slammers play before a crowd of 1,500 people. The team offers several promotions to draw fans, including $1 beer nights and free tickets for people over 50.
4
business
Small ball? Pittsburgh's other professional baseball team isn't afraid to take shots over the bow
Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd Nelson watches his players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. The Oilers won 2-1.
5
sports
Todd Nelson is surprised he joined the Penguins, too, but the coach is excited to be back
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story