[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6873-6874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02554]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


The Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research

SUMMARY: This notice provides information on the National Institutes of 
Health's (NIH) reassessment of the need to maintain a colony of 50 
chimpanzees for future research and decision to no longer maintain a 
chimpanzee colony for research. This notice also provides information 
on conforming updates and procedures related to this action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Division of Program Coordination, 
Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National 
Institutes of Health at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 18, 2015, the NIH announced it 
will no longer maintain a colony of 50 chimpanzees for future research 
and that all NIH-owned chimpanzees that reside outside the federal 
sanctuary system operated by Chimp Haven, Keithville, Louisiana, are 
eligible for retirement. Relocation of the chimpanzees to the federal 
sanctuary system will be conducted as space is available and on a 
timescale that will allow for optimal transition of each individual 
chimpanzee with careful consideration of their welfare, including their 
health and social grouping. See the NIH Director's statement at https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director/statements/nih-will-no-longer-support-biomedical-research-chimpanzees. Consistent with this 
decision, the NIH is limiting its future support for research using 
chimpanzees to that which would be permissible in the federal sanctuary 
system under the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and 
Protection (CHIMP) Act and the implementing regulations at 42 CFR part 
9. Such research must either be noninvasive behavioral studies or 
medical studies based on information collected during the course of 
normal veterinary care that is provided for the benefit of the 
chimpanzee, provided that any such study involves minimal physical and 
mental harm, pain, distress, and disturbance to the

[[Page 6874]]

chimpanzee and the social group in which the chimpanzee lives.
    Specifically, permissible research, as described in the ``Standards 
of Care for Chimpanzees Held in the Federally Supported Chimpanzee 
Sanctuary System'' at 42 CFR part 9, includes:
     Visual observation;
     Behavioral studies designed to improve the establishment 
and maintenance of social groups. These activities may cause stress as 
a result of novel interactions between chimpanzees and caregivers, but 
they are not considered invasive as long as they are intended to 
maximize the well-being of the chimpanzees;
     Medical examinations as deemed necessary to oversee the 
health of the chimpanzees, in the least invasive manner possible. 
Collection of samples routinely obtained during a physical examination 
for processing during this time is also considered noninvasive since a 
separate event is not required;
     Administration and evaluation of environmental enrichment 
used to promote the psychological well-being of the chimpanzees; and
     Actions taken to provide essential medical treatment to an 
individual chimpanzee exhibiting symptoms of illness. This applies only 
to serious illness that cannot be treated while the chimpanzee remains 
within the colony.
     Observational studies and collection of biomaterial in the 
wild without interfering with the chimpanzee is also permitted.
    These decisions apply to all new or competing renewals of grant 
applications, contract proposals, intramural protocols, and 3rd party 
projects. The NIH may issue future guidance about the permissible 
noninvasive research involving chimpanzees. Researchers are encouraged 
to contact their program officers for additional information or the 
Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives 
at [email protected].
    The NIH's decision to allow the support of noninvasive research 
involving the use of chimpanzees, as described in this notice, does not 
affect requirements for investigators and/or their institutions to 
obtain permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if applicable, 
nor does it affect the responsibility to meet all applicable 
veterinary, colony, and husbandry obligations.

    Dated: February 2, 2016.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2016-02554 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P