Primate Welfare in Research and Entertainment

Non-human primates are used in biomedical research and entertainment, raising profound welfare and ethical concerns given their high cognitive complexity and emotional sophistication.

Key Facts

Around 70,000 non-human primates are used in research globally each year
The US uses the most primates in research, followed by China and Japan
Great apes are largely protected from invasive research in the EU and US but macaques and marmosets are widely used
Primates in research suffer from isolation, repetitive procedures, and confinement in barren environments
The Great Ape Project has lobbied for legal personhood for great apes since 1993
Several countries including New Zealand have banned great ape research outside conservation contexts

Welfare Considerations

Primates are among the most cognitively and emotionally sophisticated animals used in research. Their capacity for suffering is high, and the conditions of laboratory life are particularly damaging for social species. While some primate research may be justified by medical necessity, the welfare costs are very high and alternatives should be developed and adopted urgently.

What You Can Do

Support organisations developing and validating alternatives to primate research
Advocate for bans on great ape research in countries that have not yet adopted them
Oppose the use of primates in entertainment, advertising, and tourist attractions
Support sanctuaries providing lifetime care for former research primates
Engage with regulatory bodies about welfare standards for primates in research settings