To: Council on Federal Relations
Cc: AAU Associates
From: AAU Staff
Subject: CFR UPDATE (13-No. 3, 1-23-13)
NIH WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS REDUCTION IN USE OF CHIMPANZEES IN RESEARCH
The NIH Council of Councils Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research (WG) released a report yesterday that generally recommends a reduction in the number of chimpanzees used in NIH-funded biomedical research studies. NIH followed up on the report today by issuing a notice requesting public comments on the report’s recommendations.
The WG was formed to implement the findings of an Institute of Medicine report on the Use of Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research, which was issued in December 2011. The 84-page report presented to the Council of Councils yesterday contains 28 recommendations in three general categories: ethnologically appropriate physical and social environments; research colony size and placement; and a review process for future proposals to use chimpanzees in NIH-supported research. Collectively, the recommendations called for a major reduction in the number of studies involving chimpanzees, including shutting down nearly half of the 30 projects currently funded by NIH and downsizing the number of chimpanzees NIH owns or supports to a single colony of about 50 chimps. The WG suggested that future projects involving chimpanzees might be better conducted in nontraditional research settings, such as zoos or animal sanctuaries. The report also recommended very specific requirements for housing chimpanzees, as well as training of personnel working with chimpanzees in research settings.
NIH is accepting comments on the report and its recommendations until March 23rd.
CAPITOL HILL LUNCHEON BRIEFING WILL ADDRESS SPACE TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Members of the public are invited to attend a Capitol Hill luncheon briefing next Monday to explore options for U.S. space technology policy. The program is sponsored by the American Chemical Society and the American Geophysical Union, with honorary co-hosts Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who are co-chairs of the Senate S&T Caucus. (See attached flyer.)
The session will take place on Monday, January 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET in Room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP here.
ACE UPDATES LIST OF HIGHER EDUCATION TAX PROVISIONS
The American Council on Education (ACE) has updated its list of major federal higher education tax provisions to reflect the extensions—temporary and permanent—included in the fiscal cliff agreement (H.R. 8) enacted in early January. The list can be viewed here.
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