Animal rights groups, lawmakers, and others have rallied behind the Trump administration’s recent announcements to end animal testing within programs at the FDA and EPA. The decisions mark a significant shift towards humane alternatives and a commitment to reducing animal use in biomedical research.
Breaking News from the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it is phasing out an animal testing requirement for antibody therapies and other drugs in favor of testing on materials that mimic human organs. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of new treatments for humans while reducing animal use.
- Dogs, rats, and fish were the primary animals to face testing before the announcement.
- The phase-out focuses on researching monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs.
- Instead, the FDA will encourage testing on “organoids,” which are artificially grown masses of cells.
EPA’s New Policy
Environmental Protection Agency chief Lee Zeldin announced that the agency will reinstate a 2019 policy to phase out animal testing. The policy aims to reduce testing on mammals by 30% by 2025 and eliminate it completely by 2035.
- The Biden administration had previously halted progress on these efforts.
- Administrator Zeldin is committed to getting the agency back on track to eliminating animal testing.
- The EPA previously reported that it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on animal testing, including testing beagle dogs with parasites via biting flies.
Praise from Animal Rights Groups
Animal rights groups, including the White Coat Waste Project, have praised the Trump administration’s efforts. The White Coat Waste Project reported in 2021 that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on animal testing.
“Thank you @DrMakaryFDA for your years of advocacy & outstanding leadership to eliminate FDA red tape that forces companies & tax-funded federal agencies to conduct wasteful & cruel tests on dogs & other animals!” said the group on X.
Concerns from Biomedical Research Community
Some in the biomedical research community have expressed concerns that there is not yet a high-tech replacement for animals in drug testing. Humane animal testing is still considered crucial to test prospective drugs for humans.
- The National Association for Biomedical Research stated that no AI model or simulation has yet demonstrated the ability to fully replicate all the unknowns about many full biological systems.
- The organization emphasized the importance of humane animal research in accelerating the development of new treatments.
Lawmaker Support
Lawmakers have also come out in support of the Trump administration’s efforts. Representative Nancy Mace stated that Dr. Anthony Fauci’s leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases had led to “barbaric and gruesome” NIH-funded experiments.
Expert Opinions
Various experts have shared their opinions on the matter.
- Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals, stated that the EPA’s commitment to phasing out animal testing is a significant step forward.
- Justin Goodman, senior vice president at White Coat Waste, emphasized the importance of eliminating animal testing and reducing R&D costs.
- Matthew R. Bailey, president of the National Association for Biomedical Research, highlighted the need for humane animal testing in accelerating the development of new treatments.
A Path Forward
The recent announcements from the FDA and EPA mark a significant shift towards humane alternatives and a commitment to reducing animal use in biomedical research. While there are concerns about the availability of high-tech replacements, the Trump administration’s efforts demonstrate a commitment to improving the welfare of animals in research.
