After more than 25 years, grotesque and scientifically baseless experiments studying estrogen suppression in pregnant baboons and their babies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore (UMB) have been shut down.

This historic victory belongs to you. Because you spoke out, took action, and stood with CAARE, these egregious experiments have finally come to an end.

For decades, female baboons were confined to steel cages, repeatedly impregnated, and had their babies surgically removed. Most babies were killed but some were put through years of testing – all for a study that human clinical research had already proven irrelevant to understanding human diabetes.

CAARE exposed this suffering. We generated sustained pressure on the university and NIH and the system finally gave way. Federal funding for this project has ended and we have confirmed through official communications with NIH and UMB that these experiments are over, with no plans to resume.

This is a major victory for baboon mothers and their babies, for ethical science, and for everyone who refused to stay silent.

And there is more reason for optimism.

Our investigation also exposed a second UMB project using pregnant baboons and babies to study circulatory defects during pregnancy. NIH records show that this project remains active for one more year. However, because the other related baboon study has now ended, we are hopeful that the remaining year will only be used to analyze existing data and complete final reports – not to conduct new experiments on animals.

We are actively investigating the status of that project and pursuing every avenue to ensure that it, too, is brought to a permanent end.

Major victories against animal experimentation do not happen easily, and they never happen by accident. They happen because dedicated advocates demand change and refuse to give up.

Today, we celebrate a monumental win. Tomorrow, we build on this momentum to finish the job.

Thank you for standing with CAARE, for believing change is possible, and for helping make this victory a reality.

Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research and Experimentation (CAARE), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established to highlight and promote research without animals. Please donate to support CAARE’s mission to reduce animal suffering by disseminating information about the power and progress of research without animals. 

We gratefully accept gifts from Donor Advised Funds. Our legal name is Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research and Experimentation, EIN: 46-5261800, P.O. Box 102, Ardsley, NY 10502.