The National Institutes of Health announced earlier this summer that it will reduce the number of chimpanzees used in scientific research and the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering classifying captive chimps, a category that includes these research chimps, as endangered species.
For many scientists, the use of chimps is unnecessary. But for those working towards a hepatitis C vaccine, there are few alternatives to chimps. David Hyde talks with University of Washington immunology professor Dr. Michael Gale Jr. about the future of hepatitis C research.