The primary aim of The HSUS's Animal Research Issues section is to promote alternatives to the use of animals in harmful research, testing, and education. Alternatives are scientific methods that accomplish one or more of the Three R's: replace or reduce the use of animals in a scientific procedure, and/or refine a procedure so the animals experience less pain, suffering or discomfort.
The following are our current projects:
"Chimps Deserve Better" Campaign: The HSUS is working to end the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research and testing in the United States. We are also working to ensure the proper implementation of a national sanctuary system for laboratory chimpanzees no longer used in research. Finally, we track and monitor the use of all nonhuman primates in research and promote the Three R's in this area.
The "Zero Option" for Animal Testing: The HSUS is pressing for the "Zero Option"—the complete replacement of animals in toxicity testing with non-animal methods—a long-term goal that is rapidly becoming widely embraced. We co-host a website (AltTox.org) devoted to advancing the non-animal methods of testing that will allow us to dispense with animal-based methods. And we have begun a series of meetings and presentations intended to foster government and corporate support for the substantial research and development effort needed to realize the new vision.
Class B Dealers: The HSUS is working to pass The Pet Safety and Protection Act, which will prohibit the sale of "random source" dogs and cats for experimentation, preventing the theft of pets for research and the abusive treatment of these animals in the hands of Class B dealers. As of 2007, there are 10 Class B dealers left in the U.S. who round up live dogs and cats from various "random sources" such as auctions, flea markets, or animal shelters and sell them to animal research facilities for biomedical research, testing, and educational purposes.
Pain and Distress Campaign: The HSUS is working to eliminate significant pain and distress in animal research and testing through research community outreach, public education, and working with oversight agencies and governing bodies to strengthen existing regulations and legislation.
Educational Memorial Program: The HSUS and two veterinary students have developed a comprehensive website to provide helpful information to veterinary students and faculty interested in more humane ways of supplying classrooms with cadavers. EMPs offer veterinary colleges an alternative source of cadavers for teaching purposes, and animal owners a special opportunity to support the training of future veterinarians by donating their pets who have been humanely euthanized for medical reasons. We are currently working on outreach to the veterinary community to further promote EMPs.
Moving Beyond Dissection: Through our Humane Education Loan Program (HELP), The HSUS loans CD-ROMs, videotapes, three-dimensional models, and other materials to students and teachers for use in place of dissecting and vivisecting animals in the classroom. The HSUS also provides advice and guidance to teachers, school boards, and students to increase the use of non-harmful alternatives to classroom dissection or vivisection, and to adopt "student choice in dissection" policies.
Russell and Burch Program: Every three years, The HSUS bestows the Russell and Burch Award upon one or more scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of alternative methods.
Botox Testing: The HSUS is working to end the use of animals in testing Botox® Cosmetic. Every batch of the popular anti-wrinkle product is tested using the infamous LD50 Test—which determines which potency will kill 50 percent of the animals. We are urging the makers of Botox, Allergan, Inc., to devote a significant portion of their $600 million in net sales of Botox Cosmetic to developing non-animal alternatives and to offer details on those efforts.
Cosmetic Testing on Animals: Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics: The HSUS is working as part of a coalition of animal protection organizations to encourage cosmetics and household products companies to adopt the coalition's stringent "cruelty-free" standard, and to encourage consumers to purchase products from these companies.
Outreach: The HSUS produces monthly and quarterly publications regarding the use of animals in research, education and testing including the Animal Research News and Analysis E-newsletter and the Pain and Distress Report. The HSUS also publicizes its messages to scientists and the general public through the media, public education materials, conferences, presentations, and published articles.
Updated March 6, 2008
