Skip to Content

Landmark Legislation Halts Primate & Pets Testing at VA

Published:

Author:
Author Freddie Hiney

baby monkey
Baby primate. Image by Jamie Haughton via Unsplash

In a significant development in animal welfare, the U.S. Congress renewed bipartisan legislation in June that restricts funding for research involving dogs, cats, and primates at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This historic legislation, originally enacted in 2019, has been further strengthened this year, requiring the VA to phase out all testing on these animals by 2026. This represents a major success for the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) and animal rights advocates across the nation.

The Genesis of the Legislation

Man petting dog
Man petting his dog. Image by Jarmoluk via Pixabay

The initial legislation was introduced following investigations and persistent lobbying by the WCW. Recognizing the unethical nature of certain experiments conducted on animals, Congress took decisive action to curb these practices. The law’s renewal and enhancement in 2024 reflect growing support for more humane research practices.

Immediate Impact on Animal Testing

Cat lying down
Cat lying down. Image by kostas piperis via Pexels

The strengthened law has already had a profound impact. The VA has responded by discontinuing all ongoing experiments involving dogs and cats. In addition, it has ceased primate testing related to schizophrenia and spinal cord injuries, marking a significant shift in the department’s research practices.

The Role of WCW in Halting Inhumane Experiments

proboscis-monkey
Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) male Labuk Bay, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Image via Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Documents reviewed by World Animal News (WAN) reveal that WCW’s advocacy has led to the cancellation of yet another cruel primate test. Even before it could begin, the VA scrapped a planned experiment that would have subjected primates to severe conditions, thanks to WCW’s efforts.

Scrapped Primate Experiment in Charleston, South Carolina

Olive baboons
An adult monkey, the Olive Baboon (Papio anubis), grooms a kid at the Ngorongoro conservation Area in Tanzania. Image via Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html, via Wikimedia Commons

One notable example of a halted project was based in Charleston, South Carolina. In June 2020, the VA’s Charleston facility awarded a $124,105 contract to the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for a controversial research project. This experiment involved inducing eye disorders in monkeys by subjecting them to a high-fat diet to accelerate age-related macular degeneration, followed by euthanasia and dissection.

The Role of FOIA in Exposing the Experiment

Orange tabby cat lying down
Orange tabby cat lying down. Image by Peng Louis via Pexels

WCW obtained records of this project through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which were shared exclusively with WAN. These documents revealed that in May 2021, the funding for the experiment was revoked, effectively halting the project before it could begin.

Confirmation of the Project’s Cancellation

Japanese macaque sitting by tree
Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) juvenile yawning at Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano, Japan. Image via Daisuke Tashiro, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a 2024 email from OHSU to WCW, it was confirmed that “this project has been canceled.” This statement not only underscores the effectiveness of WCW’s lobbying efforts but also highlights the growing consensus against inhumane animal testing.

The Broader Impact of WCW’s Advocacy

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey eating. Image via depositphotos.

The cancellation of this project is a testament to the significant influence WCW has had on shaping humane research practices within the VA. Their work has not only stopped wasteful and cruel experiments but also paved the way for more ethical research methods that do not involve animals.

Statement from WCW’s Leadership

White Cheeked Spider Monkey
White-cheeked spider monkey (Ateles marginatus) in Sorocaba Zoo. Image via Miguelrangeljr, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President of WCW, emphasized the organization’s mission: “Our goal is to get the government out of the animal testing business. We’re proud of the historic progress we’ve made to expose and end the VA’s wasteful and cruel experiments on primates, dogs, and cats. The spending cuts we secured mark the first time Congress has directed a federal agency to eliminate animal testing across entire species. We’re saving animals and tax dollars, it’s a win-win.”

A New Era for Animal Welfare

Black labrador retriever on the grass.
Black labrador retriever on the grass. Image by otorince74 via Depositphotos.

The renewal and enhancement of this legislation represent a watershed moment in the movement towards humane research practices. With the ongoing efforts of organizations like WCW, the future looks promising for the protection of animals in scientific research.

Latest posts by Freddie Hiney (see all)
Unusual Fall Season For Almost All US States Predicted Spotting A Blue Jay May Be The Universe’s Way Of Telling You What You Need New York Rescue Duck Found Himself An Emotional Support Duck Spotting A Cougar May Be The Universe’s Way Of Telling You What You Need Do Bald Eagles Mate For Life?