WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) are collaborating on a bipartisan bill aimed at ending the testing and breeding of dogs and cats for biomedical research. They argue that such practices are outdated and inhumane, emphasizing a need for change in how animals are treated in research contexts.
Read More
Langworthy stated, "These dogs are not a test tube or a piece of lab equipment; they are beautiful animals that have nothing but love in their hearts." The two lawmakers introduced the COMPACT Act, which would prohibit federal funding for biomedical research involving live dogs and cats while enhancing oversight and protection for these animals.
Pocan noted, "This bill will go very far in making sure we don’t have more dogs that have to be rehomed and tested on." He expressed hope that removing the financial incentive for such practices would alter the landscape of animal testing.
Advocates like Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action, highlighted the long-standing reliance on animals in research, stating, "We have been using animals since the Depression era without significant progress in changing core R&D programs." He criticized the effectiveness of animal testing, pointing out that 90% of drugs that pass animal trials fail in human clinical trials.
Recent developments in the area include Ridglan Farms, a major breeding facility in Pocan’s district, ceasing its dog breeding and research operations amidst allegations of animal welfare violations. Langworthy has also expressed a strong commitment to shutting down Marshall BioResources, the second-largest breeding facility in the U.S., which has faced scrutiny for its practices.
Marshall BioResources maintains that terminating animal research could compromise national security and biomedical advances. The company argues that animal testing would simply shift overseas, leading to less regulatory oversight. They assert that their breeding operations are highly regulated and have passed recent inspections without issue.
Eva Maciejewski, a spokesperson for the National Association for Biomedical Research, stressed that humane research involving dogs ultimately benefits their welfare and cautioned against restrictive measures that could hinder the development of new medical treatments.
In conjunction with these legislative moves, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a series of actions aimed at advancing human-based research methods while working to reduce unnecessary animal testing.