ASP - News and Notes

The American Society of Primatologists was founded 33 years ago to bring together a diverse membership that includes experts from many scientific disciplines to serve educational and scientific purposes concerning the study of primates. The goals of the Society are to promote and encourage the discovery and exchange of information regarding primates, including all aspects of their anatomy, behavior, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, nutrition, physiology, reproduction, systematics, conservation, husbandry, and use in biomedical research. The membership of ASP includes scientists, veterinarians, curators, park personnel and others working with all species of nonhuman primates, including the great apes, in natural environments, zoological parks, and laboratories. The Society supports the membership in all these settings, including laboratories conducting institutionally approved and regulated, legal, and humanely conducted studies that are undertaken to further scientific progress and improve both human and animal health and species preservation. ASP and its members have a long-standing interest and commitment to the humane care, conservation, and scientific study of nonhuman primates. Their leadership and knowledge have led to scientific progress and practical improvements in care and welfare, conservation, and husbandry of nonhuman primates.

Historically, ASP has taken a leadership role in addressing major issues affecting nonhuman primates and their scientific study. Among their statements and resolutions are positions on private ownership, primate health in the wild, conservation of wild primate populations, and ethical treatment of nonhuman primates.

In 1996, ASP issued a policy statement on the long-term care of chimpanzees and their involvement in scientific research. The statement affirms ASP's support of humanely conducted scientific studies of chimpanzees; encourages the preservation, careful archiving and sharing of post-mortem tissues; and calls for advancement of regulations that allow chimpanzees to reside in environments that ensure their care. The ASP policy statement includes the following recommendations:

ASP has been, and will remain, staunchly in the forefront of scientific and practical efforts to improve the lives, welfare, and scientific understanding of nonhuman primates. It has always fostered the exchange of information among scholars and practitioners about these issues, and will continue to do so. We stand ready to work with all parties that share our goals.






News & Notes The American Society of Primatologists was founded 33 years ago to bring together a diverse membership that includes experts from many scientific disciplines to serve educational and scientific purposes concerning the study of primates. The goals of the Society are to promote and encourage the discovery and exchange of information regarding primates, including all aspects of their anatomy, behavior, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, nutrition, physiology, reproduction, systematics, conservation, husbandry, and use in biomedical research. The membership of ASP includes scientists, veterinarians, curators, park personnel and others working with all species of nonhuman primates, including the great apes, in natural environments, zoological parks, and laboratories. The Society supports the membership in all these settings, including laboratories conducting institutionally approved and regulated, legal, and humanely conducted studies that are undertaken to further scientific progress and improve both human and animal health and species preservation. ASP and its members have a long-standing interest and commitment to the humane care, conservation, and scientific study of nonhuman primates. Their leadership and knowledge have led to scientific progress and practical improvements in care and welfare, conservation, and husbandry of nonhuman primates. Historically, ASP has taken a leadership role in addressing major issues affecting nonhuman primates and their scientific study. Among their statements and resolutions are positions on private ownership, primate health in the wild, conservation of wild primate populations, and ethical treatment of nonhuman primates. In 1996, ASP issued a policy statement on the long-term care of chimpanzees and their involvement in scientific research. The statement affirms ASP's support of humanely conducted scientific studies of chimpanzees; encourages the preservation, careful archiving and sharing of post-mortem tissues; and calls for advancement of regulations that allow chimpanzees to reside in environments that ensure their care. The ASP policy statement includes the following recommendations: THAT efforts should be made to provide secure and appropriate environments for captive chimpanzees in zoological exhibits, research facilities, retirement facilities, and sanctuaries; THAT humanely conducted scientific studies of chimpanzees throughout the lifespan should be encouraged and federally supported, especially research on developmental and aging processes and other topics that may contribute not only to the understanding of human health, but also hold promise for improving the health and quality of life of chimpanzees; THAT tissues from chimpanzees should be preserved following death for additional study, including brain tissues in a comparative neurobiology research resource bank similar to those maintained for the study of human neuropathology; THAT regulations be advanced to permit chimpanzees to reside exclusively in accredited zoological parks, accredited research facilities, or other situations that are USDA licensed and subject to regulation under the Animal Welfare Act; THAT additional wild-caught chimpanzees not be imported (in accordance with current policies) and that a national chimpanzee registry be created to assure that the individual identity and location of all chimpanzees is known as a means of improving enforcement of laws and regulations intended to eliminate illegal trade or holding of chimpanzees and other primates. ASP has been, and will remain, staunchly in the forefront of scientific and practical efforts to improve the lives, welfare, and scientific understanding of nonhuman primates. It has always fostered the exchange of information among scholars and practitioners about these issues, and will continue to do so. We stand ready to work with all parties that share our goals. Modified 18 July 2010 Home \| Education \| Conservation \| Research \| Society \| Meetings \| Grants \| Links © 1995-2010 The American Society of Primatologists. All Rights Reserved

News & Notes