Use alternatives to animal testing

Over the last few years, more and more citizens have come to oppose the cruelty behind the animal testing industry. Iowans have followed suit — and some have taken action.

In 2022, the Iowa Legislature passed a historic law that required taxpayer-funded research facilities to create adoption programs instead of simply euthanizing dogs and cats after their use in laboratories. This law has had impact beyond state-operated institutions. Private research labs in Iowa took notice and some have started working with animal shelters to adopt out animals, too.

Later that year, the Humane Society of the United States removed nearly 4,000 beagles — many bound for research labs — from a massive breeding facility operated by Envigo RMS. The facility received multiple Animal Welfare Act violations for issues such as inadequate veterinary care and insufficient food. The U.S. Department of Justice just this month announced that Inotiv, the parent company of Envigo, will pay more than $35 million, including an $11 million fine for violating the AWA, the largest in history.

One of those dogs, now named Lilly, found her way to Iowa. Another was adopted by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. By the end of the summer, all the dogs rescued from the Envigo facility were on their way to new homes — something showcased by headlines around the country. And the world got a clear glimpse into the animal research and breeding industry.

Earlier this year, the University of Iowa announced it was hiring a new Vice President for Research. I sent a letter to UI President Barbara Wilson encouraging the institution to seek out a candidate who would place an emphasis on emerging technologies and rely far less on animal experiments. My letter went unanswered — until this past week.

Following congressional hearing in which Dr. Anthony Fauci was interrogated about federal spending on animal research, Iowa State Rep. Taylor Collins sent a letter to the University of Iowa and the Iowa Board of Regents expressing his own concerns. Collins demanded an audit of the institution’s research programs to ensure that no egregiously cruel testing was taking place in Iowa.

Rep. Collins received a response from the University, ignoring his request for an audit. Not long after that, I received an email from the University’s Office of the Vice President for Research. It was boilerplate — we’ve received your message; we think we’re doing fine; we’re not interested in change.

I don’t believe that’s what Iowans want to hear from our institutions.

In an era defined by innovation, testing drugs on dogs, rats, monkeys and other animals not only causes immense suffering, it’s increasingly outdated. We can and should find ways to spare animals from suffering by supporting the development and use of non-animal technologies to study and test treatments for diseases and the health effects of products. Organs-on-chips, robotics, reconstructed human tissues, computer models and others are often more accurate, and these alternatives are improving all the time. We do not have to choose between saving human lives or animal lives.

Iowans and our leaders can improve the lives of animals in research starting today. I am hopeful that our state institutions will take steps to eliminate the animal research that causes the most suffering — whether it takes more conversation and dialogue or constructive legislative action. Iowans should speak up for both.

Iowa’s congressional delegation can also take action and should support the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act, which would better protect all animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act. This includes animals at research facilities, commercial pet breeding operations and on exhibitions at zoos and aquariums.

Preston Moore is Iowa state director for the Humane Society of the United States.