Support the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021
The Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021 (H.R. 1744) addresses two important objectives related to the use of animals in research: it presents an opportunity to advance the development and use of human-relevant, non-animal methods of research, and it holds researchers more accountable for tracking and disclosing their use of animals in research.
This act would establish the National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing to develop, promote, and fund human-relevant, non-animal methods of research and develop a plan for reducing the number of animals used in federally funded research.
In addition, the act will require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to track and disclose the number and type of animals used in research and how they are used. This addresses a fundamental lack of transparency in animal-use data for federally funded research. Without an accurate assessment of how many and what types of animals are used and why, it is impossible for the public to know whether the NIH is making any progress in replacing animals in research.
Passage of the act is imperative. Although the House Appropriations Committee included language in its spending bill directing the NIH to create a plan for establishing a national Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing back in July 2021, the Senate Appropriations Committee neglected to address this directive.
The Humane Research and Testing Act will hold NIH and federal research facilities accountable for advancing human-relevant, non-animal methods of research and phasing out the use of animals in research.
Please urge your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 1744 – the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021.