New research: Dog and cat experiments could end in federal labs by 2036
WASHINGTON (7News) — Beagles rescued and adopted from animal research labs hit Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, as new data was revealed from Marymount University that the federal government is moving closer to eliminating the use of animals in experiments.
"It's very exciting and it's also very exciting that there has been a lot of legislation that has been introduced to expedite that process," said Stacy Lopresti-Goodman, Ph.D. from Marymount University.
RELATED | Cat experiments stopped at US Department of Veterans Affairs
According to Professor Lopresti-Goodman's research in 1973, there were 195,157 dogs in laboratories. In 2022, there were 48,292. This represents a statistically significant decrease of 75%.
Using linear regression equation modeling, Lopresti-Goodman can also make predictions about when dog testing might end.
Based upon the parameter estimates that dog use decreases by 3388.93 dogs each year, the model predicts the use of dogs ending by 2036.
In 1973, 66,195 cats were used, while in 2022, 14,599 were used. This is a statistically significant decrease of 80%.
The model demonstrates that there are on average 1,139 fewer cats each year. Again, using conservative methods, we might predict that the use of cats might end by 2035.
A letter penned by U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus and U.S. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has arrived at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
It asked the GAO to review all policies related to taxpayer-funded research on dogs and cats.
"It's just unnecessary. It's very costly animal testing. It's antiquated and outdated and shouldn't happen anymore," added U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, New York (R).
The letter cites two recent 7News I-Team investigations. Cat experiments stopped at the VA and deadly kitten experiments halted at UC-Davis funded by NIH.
READ MORE | Deadly kitten experiments funded by NIH at UC-Davis halted after White Coat inquiry
ALSO READ | Cat experiments stopped at US Department of Veterans Affairs
White Coat Waste Project, a D.C.-based taxpayer's watchdog group, believes the new Trump administration's plans to create the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE could aid in eliminating unnecessary animal experiments.
"There has been a major focus and waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government and there is no better place to start than cutting $20 billion than wasteful spending to torture puppies, cats, and other animals and experiments that are cruel, incredibly expense and aren't improving human health," says Justin Goodman with White Coat Waste Project.
