U.S. Public Opinion Of Chimpanzee Research
A study conducted to evaluate public opinion regarding the use of chimpanzees for medical research, with a focus on attitudes about retiring chimpanzees under certain circumstances.
A majority of the population supports the use of animal for medical research.
- 65% support animal research in general, but 54% say somewhat/sometimes
- 49% support chimpanzee research, with 39% saying somewhat/sometimes
- People are less supportive of chimpanzee research than they are for others including companion animals
The core support base for a total ban on chimpanzee testing is larger than that of the opposition.
- 29% say “definitely yes” to a ban on chimpanzee research while 18% say “definitely no.”
- 53% did not take a strong position, with 38% specifying maybe” and 15% “not sure”
Demographically:
- The 29% of the population that say “definitely yes” to the proposed ban on chimpanzee research are skewed toward females, and pet owners. They are similar in age and education to the total sample.
- educated and less likely to have pets, as compared to the total sample.
- Those that say “maybe” match the total sample in all respects including age, gender, education, and pet ownership.
- Those who are “not sure” are more likely to be female and are less likely to have pets, though age and education similar to the total sample.
There is greater public support for “qualified” or limited bans on chimpanzee research and for other alternatives to a total ban.
- 54% would support a ban “in experiments that cause physical injury, pain, and/or suffering”
- 53% do not approve of using the same chimpanzee for multiple experiments, while 18% approve.
- 47% do not believe that chimpanzees younger than 7 years old should be used in experiments
- 80% are in favor of alternatives to chimpanzee testing at least “some of the time”, while 41% support alternatives “always”
- 50% would support the use of taxpayer money to fund development of alternatives
There is significant support of “permanently retiring” chimpanzees in certain circumstances.
- 74% support permanent retirement of chimpanzees to sanctuaries
- 71% believe that chimpanzees in research for more than 10 years should be retired
- 37% would support a ban on reusing chimpanzees who have already been retired
The most significant differences in support for chimpanzee research demographically are among males, the more educated and those who do not live with companion animals.
- 61% of males and 40% of females support chimpanzee research. Twice as many males (25%) than females (12%) would “definitely” oppose a ban.
- 57% of those with a BA degree or above support chimpanzee research versus 46% of those with less education.
- 58% of those who do not own pets support testing, compared to 45% of those are pet owners.