Speak Up! No Chimp Left Behind!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND | SOURCE IDA

Until March 23, NIH is accepting public input on the chimpanzee retirement recommendations. They have set up a webform for comments, that you can access here. The form on that page has many fields for comments on each specific recommendation, but you can just scroll to the end where it says “Overall Comments” and copy and paste the below message, or submit your own response.

WHOM TO CONTACT

Please click HERE for online contact form.  Please scroll to the very bottom and enter sample letter (or your words) in “Overall Comments” field, enter the number in the box, and then click “Save Survey”


SAMPLE LETTER

I am delighted to learn that the NIH is considering retiring most chimpanzees under its control from research laboratories to sanctuaries. I applaud you and the Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research for taking this important step.

I ask that you accept the Working Group’s recommendations, but reject the one recommendation that NIH maintain a colony of 50 chimpanzees for possible future research. There is neither scientific nor ethical justification to maintain a colony.

I also ask that you and the Council recommend the retirement to sanctuary of those chimpanzees who remain in private laboratories. I understand that since they are not under your jurisdiction, you are not able to render decisions about them, but a positive recommendation from your respected Council would be an invaluable step to according them the freedom the NIH acknowledges they deserve.

What do you see
What do you see when you look at me
The face of your genetic history
Do you see the intelligence, the soul,
The feelings
Of a primate that has suffered
From man’s cruel misdealings
Or do you see a thing
That belongs in a lab
Alive or dead
Lying on a cold slab
Your vision is determined
By your inner brain’s eye
My future depends
Please I do not want
To cry

Karen Lyons Kalmenson