Real Planet of the Apes: Unlawful Chimpanzee Experiments at Texas Biomed

They’ve suffered enough. Cammy had 18 liver biopsies. Katrina has hepatitis C. Ken has HIV. Now, a Texas laboratory is performing life-threatening procedures on these and 11 other seriously ill chimpanzees. But PCRM is petitioning the government to take action.

Based on recently obtained veterinary records, PCRM’s Petition for Investigative Action says that 14 chimpanzees transferred last year to Texas Biomed’s Southwest National Primate Research Center in San Antonio are suffering physical and psychological harm in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

At least two of the chimpanzees are in such poor health that commonly conducted laboratory procedures could kill them. In addition to their long history of disease and physical stressors, the 14 chimpanzees taken out of a nonresearch facility in New Mexico last year by the National Institutes of Health are in poor psychological health.

Last month in Washington, a committee of scientists convened by the Institute of Medicine heard expert and public testimony and examined the usefulness of chimpanzee experiments. Its report issued later this year will affect all chimpanzees in U.S. labs, including the 14 transferred to Texas Biomed.

“A remarkable result of questioning from committee members has been the reluctant admissions from National Institutes of Health representatives and researchers that chimpanzees are NOT necessary to advance research for HIV/AIDS, cancer, neuropsychiatry, malaria, respiratory syncytial virus, monoclonal antibodies, biodefense, and drug development,” says PCRM director of academic affairs John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C.

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, a bill before Congress, would phase out invasive experiments on chimpanzees. To ask your senators and congressperson to support this legislation, visit PCRM.org/GAPA.