A bold reform is required to save billions of taxpayer dollars by ending wasteful and inhumane animal testing.

Every year, over $15 billion in taxpayer money funds cruel and outdated animal experiments, where more than 50 million animals suffer painful tests-often without anesthesia, veterinary care, or pain management. Yet these methods fail us: 92% of drugs tested on animals prove unsafe or ineffective for humans, making the process both scientifically unreliable and fiscally irresponsible.  The experiment methods are scientifically unreliable in predicating human physiological response.  

Experimentation on Animals 

1. Toxicity Tests- Dogs are often used for testing (pesticides, medical devices, the safety of drugs, cosmetics and other products) across the country to determine how an ingredient or device may impact human health. These animals are bred specifically to live their entire lives confined in a laboratory and suffer immensely.  One specific example is the one year pesticide test on dogs. Researcher force dogs to consume a pesticide each day for an entire year. All dogs are killed at the end of the study, if they do not die during the study. Important to note that the US Environmental Protection Agency eliminated certain toxicity testing requirements more than a decade ago. However, companies still carry out and submit data as a part of their pesticide registration.  
2. Cancer Antibody Testing- Is better conducted with human cells than by injecting mice with cancer. 
3. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA)- Does not cover roughly 95% of the animals tested upon because it exempts rats, mice, birds, fish, and reptiles. The AWA provides only minimal protections to the animals it does cover. 
4. Draize eye test- Hazard Identification of Eye Irritation and Corrosion tested commonly on rabbits and other mammals.  Humane options below. 
5. Dissection- Animal dissection of frogs and other animals in the classrooms is expensive and alternatives exist including; “opt out” (where students can choose a humane alternative in lieu dissection) and virtual or physical models options for dissection (BioLeap).  
6. Primates-We must end the use of non-human primates in research and testing.  “The NIH allocates billions of dollars annually in research grants to institutions across the country. Although the scientific community no longer uses chimpanzees in research, recent government statistics show that nearly 71,000 macaques, baboons, marmosets and other primates are used annually despite emerging technologies. Important to note that tens of thousands more are bred and held in reserve. “ 

Solutions- It’s time to replace these failed experiments with modern, non-animal solutions that are more accurate, cost-effective, and humane. By shifting to advanced technologies, such as organ-on-a-chip models, AI-driven research, and human-based testing methods, we can protect both human health and taxpayer dollars. More options are below:

1. Eliminate all Toxicity and Other Testing not required by law-US Environmental Protection Agency eliminated certain Toxicity test requirement more than a decade ago. Many alternatives already exist which are proving to be superior to animal use.  This new approach to toxicity testing is already enabling more rapid, cost-effective safety testing of chemicals and providing information more relevant to humans.    
2. Replace Draize Eye Test with Humane Solutions- The EPA has adopted the “New Chemicals Program Decision Framework for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritation and Corrosion” to reduce, refine, or replace vertebrate animal testing and provide information of equivalent or better scientific quality and relevance for assessing risks of injury to health or the environment. 
3. Dissention -Replace with Virtual or Non-animal Methods-Administrators, Teachers and students should have a choice to opt out of dissection and choose a virtual model.  NAVS will create a new and engaging website for Bioleap.org (for teachers and administrators). The new website will create a digital hub by consolidating resources for humane educational practice with downloadable materials, video tutorials and case studies highlighting successful human education practices. 
4. In Vitro Testing Many scientists believe that in vitro testing is scientifically superior to inhumane testing on animals. The same is true for radiation exposure tests and cosmetic testing. These experiments on animals are unreliable and ineffective in predicting human reactions to toxic substances. Alternatives to cutting into animals’ brains exist. Cancer antibody testing is better conducted with human cells than by injecting mice with cancer.
   Eliminate Redundant, Unnecessary and Arbitrary Testing and Unethical Experimental Practices  
5. Update the AWA (Animal Welfare Act)- Provide minimum care standards to protect all animals from harm, prohibit experiments which cause pain and suffering, protect their well-being,  provide transparency and establish stricter guidelines for the treatment (including; vet care, pain management and the opportunity to be adopted out at the end of the research) of animal research which is required by law.
6. Encourage the Continued Development and Adoption of Non-Animal Testing Methods and Alternatives. 

The future of science and government efficiency demands action. I urge policymakers to end wasteful spending on outdated animal testing and invest in cutting-edge, human-relevant research that will save lives, resources, and billions in taxpayer dollars.

The time for change is now. Will you stand with us in demanding smarter, more ethical science?

Sources

Animal Defense Legal Fund (ADLF) https://aldf.org/focus-area/animals-used-in-research/

National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)-Animal Action Newsletter issue #58  and #59

https://navs.org/our-work/ending-the-use-of-animals-in-research-and-testing/

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)- SB-1882 Fact Sheet

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/animals-used-experiments-faq

Please also reach out to D.O.G.E so your voice is heard at doge@mail.house.gov