Research Animals

Primate Research: Ethical Questions and Alternatives

Non-human primates are used in biomedical research due to their biological similarity to humans, but this same similarity raises profound ethical questions about the permissibility of their use.

Key Facts

Approximately 100,000 non-human primates are used in research globally each year
Chimpanzee research is banned or heavily restricted in most countries following recognition of their cognitive complexity
Great apes have been found to pass self-recognition tests, demonstrate empathy, and engage in cultural learning
The US NIH retired its last research chimpanzees to sanctuary in 2019
Organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies are providing increasingly viable alternatives to primate research models

Welfare Considerations

The use of primates in research involves the greatest ethical tensions in animal experimentation due to their cognitive sophistication, social complexity, and potential for rich subjective experience. Even the best research facilities cannot fully meet the social and psychological needs of primates. The scientific and ethical imperative to develop and validate alternatives is strong, and progress has been made, though the transition is incomplete.

What You Can Do

Support funding for development of primate research alternatives
Advocate for institutional policies that prioritize alternatives and minimize primate use
Follow updates from organizations working on organ-on-chip and organoid research
Support retirement of research primates to accredited sanctuaries when research ends
Engage with biomedical research community arguments about necessity with nuance and evidence