On March 5th, 2009, U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns (D-NY), David Reichert (R-WA), James Langevin (D-RI), and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) reintroduced the Great Ape Protection Act, H.R. 1326 to end invasive biomedical research and testing on an estimated 1000 chimpanzees remaining in U.S. laboratories. The bill would also retire approximately 600 federally owned chimpanzees currently in laboratories - many for more than 40 years - to permanent sanctuary. The bill was originally introduced on April 17th, 2008. To read the bill’s text, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/, and search for H.R. 1326.
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Updates
February 2010: The Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326) is currently in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill now has the support of 143 cosponsors including the four original sponsors. It is vital we continue to work hard to add even more cosponsors to ensure the bill’s success.
Background
Project R&R works hand in hand with scientists, world renowned chimpanzee experts, founders of chimpanzee sanctuaries, as well as with other leading national and international organizations. Project R&R is currently focused on passing the Great Ape Protection Act, H.R. 1326, which will end the use of chimpanzees in invasive biomedical research. To learn more about and how you can take action, click here.
While several other countries have already passed laws that limit or prohibit research on chimpanzees, the United States is the only remaining large-scale user of chimpanzees in research in the world. An end to U.S. use of chimpanzees - and all great apes - in research will mark the first time any nonhuman species is not allowed to be used in experimentation in the United States.
