Congressional Briefing Highlights The Importance Of Alternatives To Animal Models

Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.) and Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research (CAARE) hosted a virtual briefing titled “21st Century Alternatives to Animals in Biomedical Research” supporting the Humane Research and Testing Act, reintroduced by Representatives Hastings and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). During the briefing, staffers heard from various scientific and medical experts, including renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, about the necessity of exploring alternatives to animal models for biomedical research. Don Ingber, Scientific Founder of Emulate, discussed how organ-on-a-chip technology can address many scientific shortcomings and ethical issues associated with animal models. The speakers emphasized the benefits of establishing a National Center for Alternatives to Research and Testing within the NIH on drug discovery. Their message was clear: animal studies and testing are inhumane, expensive, and fail to yield human-relevant data. Continue reading to learn more about the briefing as well as more human-relevant testing solutions that have been developed since.