Research Animal Welfare

Great Apes in Biomedical Research History

The history of great ape biomedical research reveals welfare harms on an enormous scale, and the lessons inform current animal research ethics.

Key Facts

Over 1,500 chimpanzees were used in US biomedical research during the 20th century
Many were socially isolated in small cages for decades, causing profound psychological trauma
NIH ended chimpanzee research in 2015 following a scientific review finding most was scientifically unnecessary
Great Britain banned chimpanzee research in 1986; the EU followed in 2010
Surviving research chimpanzees are entitled to sanctuary placement under US law

Welfare Considerations

The scale of psychological suffering inflicted on socially isolated research chimpanzees over decades represents one of the most significant welfare failures in the history of human-animal relations. Animals capable of complex social bonds, tool use, and emotional expression were confined alone in small cages for their entire adult lives. This history motivates both sanctuary support and ongoing vigilance against welfare regression in animal research policy.

What You Can Do

Support Chimp Haven and Project Chimps in providing lifetime sanctuary care for research survivors
Advocate for maintaining the NIH moratorium on chimpanzee research
Monitor legislative attempts to weaken animal research welfare protections and respond with advocacy