While noting the benefits of using chimpanzees for research due to their genetic make-up being very similar that of humans, the director of the NIH Dr Francis S Collins said that after extensive consultation he is “confident that greatly reducing their use in biomedical research is scientifically sound and the right thing to do.”

The organisation, which is the primary federal agency for medical research, plans to retain up to fifty of the primates who will take part in experiments which meet certain criteria. Experiments not meeting this criteria but currently underway will be wound down.

These animals will not be bred but will join over 150 others in a Federal reserve to live out their retirement once the experiments are completed.

One of the monkeys used by the NIH

Their current living conditions will also be improved, although a “scientific consensus” has not yet been reached on how this will be carried out.

Yesterday’s announcement is the latest step in process which started in 2010 when the NIH commissioned a study into whether or not the continued use of chimps in scientific research was needed.