The FDA and EPA have taken significant steps toward ending animal testing, embracing innovative technologies that reflect a broader ethical stance, prompting praise from animal rights advocates, lawmakers, and medical ethicists across the political spectrum.
Bipartisan Support for Trump Administration's Move to End Animal Testing in Federal Agencies
Bipartisan Support for Trump Administration's Move to End Animal Testing in Federal Agencies
The Trump administration receives commendation from diverse groups for announcing plans to phase out animal testing at the FDA and EPA, marking a historic shift in federal policies.
The Trump administration is unexpectedly garnering bipartisan praise, notably from major animal rights organizations, lawmakers, and advocates of medical ethics, following its announcement of comprehensive reforms targeting animal testing at federal agencies, specifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On Thursday, the FDA declared its intention to eliminate requirements for animal testing in evaluating antibody therapies and various drug treatments. This decision aligns with modern technological alternatives such as organ-on-a-chip systems, which simulate human biological responses.
Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president of PETA, one of the foremost animal rights organizations worldwide, lauded the FDA’s move as a positive step towards minimizing animal suffering. She emphasized, “PETA applauds the FDA’s decision to stop harming animals and adopt human-relevant testing strategies for evaluating antibody therapies.” Guillermo asserted that this decision propels the agency closer to its commitment to replacing animal use in testing altogether.
Guillermo not only praised the decision but also pressed for further measures, advocating for a complete cessation of outdated primate testing at federally funded research facilities. She urged the FDA to persist in embracing modern scientific approaches characteristic of the 21st century.
In conjunction with the FDA’s announcement, the EPA is also taking significant strides to reduce its dependence on animal testing, making the Trump administration the first in U.S. history to coordinate across different federal agencies on this pivotal issue.
This transition from animal testing is not merely administrative; it represents a landmark achievement in scientific ethics and advancements, gaining admiration even from groups traditionally opposed to aligning with Trump’s political agenda.
