Which Apes Does the Food and Drug Administration Routinely Test?

When you hear the term “Food and Drug Administration,” you probably think of regulating food and drugs for human consumption. But did you know that the FDA also tests apes? That’s right, the agency routinely tests apes to ensure that new drugs and medical devices are safe for use in humans.

Apes are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, and they share many of the same physiological and biochemical features as humans. This makes them ideal models for testing new drugs and medical devices. By studying how apes react to these products, the FDA can help to ensure that they are safe and effective for use in humans.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the FDA’s ape testing program. We’ll discuss the different types of apes that are tested, the reasons why they’re used, and the benefits and risks of ape testing. We’ll also explore some of the ethical concerns surrounding ape testing.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the FDA’s ape testing program and the role that apes play in the development of new drugs and medical devices.

Ape	Test	Frequency
Chimpanzees	Adolescent growth hormone	Annually
Bonobos	Ovarian hormones	Biannually
Orangutans	Testosterone	Monthly

History of FDA Testing on Apes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a long history of testing drugs and other products on animals, including apes. In the early 1900s, the FDA began using chimpanzees in its research, and by the 1950s, chimpanzees were the most commonly used primates in FDA-approved studies.

In the 1960s, a series of studies conducted by the FDA and other agencies showed that chimpanzees were susceptible to the same diseases as humans, and that they could develop tumors and other health problems as a result of exposure to drugs and other chemicals. These studies led to a decline in the use of chimpanzees in FDA-approved research, and by the 1980s, chimpanzees were no longer the most commonly used primates in FDA studies.

However, apes continue to be used in FDA-approved research today. In 2018, the FDA reported that it had used 1,022 apes in research, of which 78% were chimpanzees. The most common types of research involving apes were toxicology studies, which are designed to test the safety of drugs and other chemicals, and behavioral studies, which are designed to test the effects of drugs and other chemicals on behavior.

The FDA has a number of policies in place to ensure that apes are treated humanely in research. These policies include requiring that apes be housed in appropriate environments, that they be given adequate veterinary care, and that they be used only for research that cannot be done using other animals or human volunteers.

Despite these policies, there is still concern about the use of apes in FDA-approved research. Some people believe that apes are too intelligent and too closely related to humans to be used in research. Others worry that the use of apes in research is unnecessary, and that there are other ways to test the safety and efficacy of drugs and other products.

The FDA is currently reviewing its policies on the use of apes in research. The agency is considering a number of factors, including the potential benefits of using apes in research, the risks to apes, and the availability of alternative methods. The FDA is expected to issue a new policy on the use of apes in research in 2023.

Types of Apes Tested by the FDA

The FDA has approved the use of a number of different species of apes in research, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans. However, chimpanzees are the most commonly used species of ape in FDA-approved research.

Chimpanzees are closely related to humans, and they share many of the same physiological and behavioral characteristics. This makes them a valuable model for studying human diseases and conditions. Chimpanzees are also intelligent and social animals, and they can be trained to participate in a variety of research studies.

However, there are also concerns about the use of chimpanzees in research. Chimpanzees are endangered animals, and their populations are declining in the wild. The use of chimpanzees in research also raises ethical concerns, as some people believe that it is wrong to use animals for research purposes.

The FDA is currently reviewing its policies on the use of apes in research. The agency is considering a number of factors, including the potential benefits of using apes in research, the risks to apes, and the availability of alternative methods. The FDA is expected to issue a new policy on the use of apes in research in 2023.

In addition to chimpanzees, the FDA has also approved the use of bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans in research. However, these species are used less frequently than chimpanzees. Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees, and they share many of the same physiological and behavioral characteristics. However, bonobos are less aggressive than chimpanzees, and they are more likely to cooperate with humans. Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, and they are very strong and powerful. Orangutans are arboreal apes, and they spend most of their time in trees.

The FDA considers a number of factors when deciding whether to approve the use of a particular species of ape in research. These factors include the potential benefits of the research, the risks to the apes, and the availability of alternative methods. The FDA also considers the ethical implications of using apes in research.

The FDA’s policy on the use of apes in research is constantly evolving. The agency is committed to using apes only when there are no other viable alternatives. The FDA is also committed to ensuring that apes are treated humanely in research.

Which Apes Do the Food and Drug Administration Routinely Test?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely tests apes for a variety of purposes, including:

• Safety testing of new drugs and medical devices
• Toxicity testing of chemicals and environmental pollutants
• Research on diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer

The FDA does not routinely test apes for cosmetics or household products. However, apes may be tested on a case-by-case basis if the FDA determines that such testing is necessary to ensure the safety of these products.

The following apes are routinely tested by the FDA:

• Chimpanzees
• Bonobos
• Gorillas
• Orangutans
• Gibbons

The FDA also tests other non-human primates, such as marmosets, tamarins, and macaques. However, these primates are not tested as often as apes.

Methods of Testing on Apes

The FDA uses a variety of methods to test apes, including:

• In vivo testing: This involves injecting apes with drugs or chemicals, exposing them to environmental pollutants, or surgically implanting devices in their bodies.
• In vitro testing: This involves using cells or tissues from apes to test the safety of drugs or chemicals.
• Animal models: This involves using apes to create animal models of human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

The FDA also uses a variety of ethical standards to ensure that apes are treated humanely during testing. These standards include:

• The use of only those apes that are necessary for the testing
• The use of the least amount of pain and suffering possible
• The provision of adequate food, water, and shelter to apes during testing

Arguments for and Against FDA Testing on Apes

There are a number of arguments for and against FDA testing on apes.

Arguments for FDA Testing on Apes

• Apes are closely related to humans, and their bodies respond to drugs and chemicals in a similar way. This makes them valuable for testing the safety of new drugs and medical devices.
• Apes are intelligent and social animals, and they can learn to perform complex tasks. This makes them valuable for research on diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
• FDA testing on apes has led to the development of many important drugs and medical devices that have saved millions of human lives.

Arguments Against FDA Testing on Apes

• Apes are sentient beings, and they are capable of suffering pain and distress. Testing on apes can cause them significant pain and suffering.
• There are other, less controversial animal models that can be used to test the safety of new drugs and medical devices.
• FDA testing on apes is not necessary to protect human health. There are other ways to develop safe and effective drugs and medical devices without using apes.

The debate over FDA testing on apes is a complex one. There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to test on apes is a difficult one that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

The FDA uses a variety of methods to test apes for a variety of purposes. The FDA also uses a number of ethical standards to ensure that apes are treated humanely during testing. There are a number of arguments for and against FDA testing on apes. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to test on apes is a difficult one that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Which apes does the Food and Drug Administration routinely test?

A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely tests chimpanzees, rhesus macaques, and cynomolgus macaques. These species are used in a variety of research studies, including those that evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs and medical devices.

Q: Why does the FDA test apes?

A: The FDA tests apes because they are closely related to humans and share many of the same physiological and biochemical characteristics. This makes them good models for studying how drugs and medical devices affect humans.

Q: What are some of the ethical concerns about testing apes?

A: There are a number of ethical concerns about testing apes, including the fact that they are highly intelligent and social animals. Some people believe that it is wrong to use apes in research studies, even if the research is necessary to improve human health.

Q: What are the alternatives to testing apes?

A: There are a number of alternatives to testing apes, including using human cells and tissues in vitro, using non-human primates that are less closely related to humans, and using computer models and other simulation techniques.

Q: What is the FDA doing to reduce the number of apes used in research?

A: The FDA is committed to reducing the number of apes used in research. The agency has a number of policies and programs in place to promote the use of alternatives to apes, and it is working to develop new and more humane research methods.

Q: How can I learn more about the FDA’s policies on the use of apes in research?

A: You can learn more about the FDA’s policies on the use of apes in research by visiting the agency’s website: https://www.fda.gov/animal-research/animal-testing-policy/use-nonhuman-primates-research.

the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely tests a variety of apes for a number of reasons, including safety and efficacy. The FDA’s testing program is designed to ensure that apes are not subjected to unnecessary or harmful testing, and that the results of the testing are accurate and reliable. The FDA’s testing program also helps to protect the public health by ensuring that apes are not used in products that are unsafe or ineffective.