NAVS
Crossroads 2029
The Shift to Science Without Suffering
Seizing a once-in-a-century moment for humane science
Crossroads 2029, a centennial project leading up to NAVS’ 100th anniversary year, leverages a pivotal moment in the history of our movement to end animal experimentation. Driven by unprecedented U.S. federal policy shifts, rising public demand for humane research, and cutting-edge non-animal innovations, we aim to make ethical, human-relevant science the new standard.
Crossroads 2029 Goals
NAVS works to transform science and assist animals through four strategic priorities.
Expand government transparency and accountability
Increase investment in non-animal methods
Shift national sentiment toward humane science
Assist animals displaced by the shift to humane methods
Numbers Count
We Track Real-World Data to Measure Progress
Our data dashboard tracks trends, highlights key gains, and shows where more pressure is needed to turn progress into lasting change. We monitor state and federal policies, scientific advances, and public sentiment to guide action and illuminate opportunities for expanded impact.
Agency
National Institutes of Health
Pledge: The NIH announced its plans to establish an Office of Research Innovation, Validation and Application (ORIVA) that will focus on advancing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) like organoids and computational models. The NIH further stated that they will no longer seek grant proposals exclusively for animal models. NAVS will closely monitor the NIH’s actions to ensure these commitments result in real progress.
NIH will no longer seek proposals exclusively for animal models. We are very well placed to move away from animal-based models.
- Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer,
- NIH Deputy Director
We must embrace new technology along with reproducibility and transparency and innovation — all of these are values at the heart of NAMs’ adoption and replacement of animal tests.
- Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer,
- NIH Deputy Director
For decades, our biomedical research system has relied heavily on animal models. With this initiative, NIH is ushering in a new era of innovation.
- Dr. Jay Bhattacharya,
- NIH Director
Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Pledge: The FDA announced its plan to phase out the animal testing requirement for monoclonal antibodies and other drugs and further committed to providing incentives for companies that send the agency test results from non-animal methods. NAVS is dedicated to monitoring the FDA’s actions and ensuring their commitments translate into measurable change.
For too long, drug manufacturers have performed additional animal testing of drugs that have data in broad human use internationally. This initiative marks a paradigm shift in drug evaluation and holds promise to accelerate cures and meaningful treatments for Americans while reducing animal use.
- Marty Makary,
- M.D., M.P.H., FDA Commissioner
God did not make animals on planet earth for us to abuse and torture. And so, we have to respect animals, and this workshop is aimed at reducing animal testing in every way we can while safeguarding the public with medications.
- Marty Makary,
- M.D., M.P.H., FDA Commissioner
Modern science has given us far more effective and humane ways of evaluating drug safety than animal testing.
- Marty Makary,
- M.D., M.P.H., FDA Commissioner
Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Pledge: The EPA announced that they will reinstate a plan to phase out animal testing on mammals and prioritize New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for chemical and pesticide safety testing. NAVS will track the EPA’s implementation to make certain their commitment results in meaningful action.
Administrator [Lee] Zeldin is wholly committed to getting the agency back on track to eliminating animal testing.
- Molly Vaseliou,
- EPA Spokesperson
The use of alternative testing methods will better predict chemical or pesticide hazards without relying on potentially fatal testing on mammals. I’m proud to announce this work plan that can both decrease the use of animals in testing while being fully protective of human health and the environment.
- Andrew Wheeler,
- Former EPA Administrator
Agency
Department of Defense
Pledge: The United States Navy announced that it will end experiments on cats and dogs and conduct a comprehensive review of all medical research programs to ensure that they align with ethical guidelines and scientific necessity. NAVS will monitor progress to make certain the Navy’s pledges result in ethical, lasting reforms.
Today, it gives me great pleasure to terminate all Department of the Navy's testing on cats and dogs, ending these inhumane practices and saving taxpayer dollars.
- John Phelan,
- Secretary of the Navy
Animal models often fail to predict human responses. DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] programs are designed to replace these models with human-relevant systems that are faster, more ethical, and more predictive.
- Department of Defense,
- Program Materials
We are actively moving toward human-relevant, non-animal systems that can better predict human outcomes and reduce reliance on animal models.
- Dr. Jean-Loup Renaud,
- DoD Chief Scientist for Chemical & Biological Defense
Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Pledge: The CDC announced that it will end its monkey research program and affirmed its commitment to minimizing the use of all animals. Instead of using nonhuman primate models in studies of infection diseases including HIV and hepatitis, the agency stated its plans to invest in new chip-based and cellular models. NAVS will monitor the CDC’s progress toward fulfilling its pledge.
CDC regularly evaluates its research project portfolio including non-human primate studies and strives to use non-animal research methods whenever feasible.
- CDC Spokesperson,
- via Science
CDC is committed to the highest standards of ethical and humane care and to minimizing the use of laboratory animals in accordance with the principles of animal welfare in scientific research known as ‘replacement, reduction and refinement'.
- CDC spokesperson,
- via Scientific American
