Please OPPOSE the Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326)

[Danny R.]

I know most of you don't work in In-Vivo research, but I wanted to
bring up an issue that could affect a large number of us.

In March 2009, a bill was introduced to the House of Representatives,
called the Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA, H.R. 1326). The bill would
ban all research involving all "great ape" species, namely
Chimpanzees. (The gibbon is not a Great Ape, but is included in the
text). Unfortunately, support for this bill in the House is growing.
Seven Representatives from Maryland have already co-sponsored this
bill, including Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD6).

What does the passing of this bill mean? Well, chimpanzees are
currently used in a large amount of studies, including the development
of vaccines for malaria, human cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial
virus, and some forms of cancer. Chimpanzees are also the only animal
model for Hepatits C. Passage of this bill would inhibit medical
advancements and the research community's quest to improve human (as
well as Great Ape) health through new treatments and vaccines for the
treatment and prevention of disease!

I urge anyone in the biomedical research community to research this
bill ( http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1326 ) and
ask your representative to OPPOSE it.

Thanks for your time,
Danny

[Jim H]

Agreed. Man, I have to get back to blogging. I have been incredibly
lame on updating the blog since i started using twitter and linkedIn
more. I'll try to post this, soon.

> bill (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1326) and