Here’s a roundup of last week’s biggest news stories related to animal research — all the recent media coverage you need to know right now to be the most effective activist for animals in labs.
Displacement, Not Replacement: Rethinking Vivisection’s End
Rise for Animals, 1/24/2025
To end animal research, we must go beyond vague calls for replacement and address the systemic issues that sustain the animal research pipeline. Dr. Nico Müller argues that the key to disrupting the animal research pipeline lies in creating an environment where non-animal methods become the practical choice. 📰 Full Story →
Feds Slap 5-year Ban on Funding for EcoHealth; Firm Funded Chinese Virus Lab
Stephanie Dinan, Washington Times, 1/18/2025
“The Biden administration slapped a five-year ban on federal research funding going to EcoHealth Alliance, a firm that sent U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Chinese virus lab at the center of speculation about the origins of the coronavirus. Health and Human Services imposed a similar bar on Dr. Peter Daszak, former president of EcoHealth. HHS had suspended funding last year while it carried out a full investigation. Friday’s moves reflect the results of that probe.”
“Critics say EcoHealth used U.S. taxpayer money to fund risk gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, manipulating bat viruses to make them more dangerous.” 📰 Full Story →
DOGE is Poised to Revolutionize Biomedicine by Curbing Animal Testing
Zaher Nahle, One Green Planet, 1/20/2025
“The intent of the new administration to create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and reduce federal spending by more than a trillion dollars . . . might jibe with an emerging realization that there are inefficiencies baked into our nation’s drug development programs. The underlying flaw: an unwarranted faith in animal testing to model human response in health and disease.”
“Through decisive actions, DOGE could in principle curb unreliable testing on animals in favor of prioritizing technology-driven, human-relevant alternatives. By doing so, it would — in a singular swoop — reduce waste across federal contracts and grants, promote modern drug development, lower healthcare and prescription drugs cost, bolster national competitiveness, improve environmental health and safety testing, and modernize practices within all health and regulatory agencies.” 📰 Full Story →
Primate Trade Through Canada Raises ‘Monkey-Laundering’ Accusations
Abdul Matin Sarfraz, Canada’s National Observer, 1/22/2025
“A February meeting could bring about the end of the trade in macaque monkeys commonly used in medical research. Representatives from Canada and the other 179 signatures to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will meet in Geneva during the first week of February to discuss the situation.”
“The CITES secretariat recently advised all member nations to suspend macaque trade from Cambodia, saying results of a new confidential report raise concerns that the primates are being captured in the wild instead of being bred in captivity, with their origins concealed.” 📰 Full Story →
Guest Op-Ed: Animal Testing in Everett: A Costly Experiment
Everett City Councilor Katy Rogers, Everett Independent, 1/22/2025
“Amending the animal testing ban may appear to be a minor adjustment, but even small changes carry significant consequences. Allowing animal testing in Everett would not only introduce logistical and financial burdens but also risk ignoring ethical concerns and shifting focus away from more pressing community priorities.”
“Meanwhile, at the federal level, there is a growing shift away from animal testing in favor of innovative alternatives. Cambridge is at the forefront of this transition, reducing its reliance on animal testing and investing in more humane and forward-thinking research methods. Allowing animal testing in Everett not only ignores these trends but risks creating new problems that divert resources from the issues residents care about most.” 📰 Full Story →
Species Spotlight: Squirrels
Rise for Animals, 1/21/2025
In a nutshell, squirrels are clever, charismatic, nimble, acrobatic, intelligent, adaptable, feisty rodents with a “knack for mischief” and “super-hero-like talents” deserving of “an action movie deal”. Get to know these diverse mammals: 📰 Full Story →