Publication of the draft sequence of the chimpanzee genome is an exciting event; it opens the door to learning a great deal about our closest evolutionary cousins — and about ourselves in the process. But unlike the human genome project, the chimpanzee sequencing effort was not accompanied by studies addressing ethical, legal and social issues. Meanwhile, there is continuing debate over the future of captive great apes' (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang-utans)~*. What does the publication of the chimpanzee genome mean for the thousands of great apes in captivity in the United States? Some fear the potential for increased invasive research on these individuals. Others are concerned that our limited knowledge of chimpanzee physiology and biology will constrain the usefulness of the chimpanzee sequence for understanding both humans and great apes. For example, critical resources required for comparative genetic and biological studies, such as messenger RNA or complementary DNA libraries, are almost non-existent for great apes. Here, we advance a proposal that addresses these and related issues, to lead, we hope, to a mutually beneficial outcome for all, including the great apes (see Box for a summary of proposed goals and objectives). We emphasize that this article relates only to great apes, and not to other primates, nor other animals. Also, this piece is not about animal 'rights' but about ethical and scientific challenges specific to great apes in captivity.
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