In February, the ASM cosigned, with 30 other scientific organizations, a letter raising concerns with H.R. 1326, the Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA).  GAPA would ban all research involving chimpanzees, effectively eliminating current and future research projects and inhibiting medical advances. Chimpanzee models are used to develop effective vaccines for human diseases including: hepatitis C, malaria, human cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and some forms of cancer. The letter states that: "Researchers do not embark upon the use of chimpanzees in research without due consideration, and are acutely aware of the ethical challenges and moral responsibilities of such research. But the fact remains that chimpanzee models have led to major medical advances; as a case in point, thanks to chimpanzee research, there are vaccines for hepatitis A and B."