This decision came under the leadership of President Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after decades of LCA pushing administrations of both political parties to take this action.
"The new policy to phase out animal testing at FDA is welcome but long overdue," said Chris DeRose, LCA's founder and president. "It is disgusting that medical research laboratories that are federally funded by HHS and the National Institutes of Health continued to torture animals for decades by using them as subjects for gruesome medical experiments and tests. For the past 40 years, LCA has been uncovering some of the most shocking medical research practices, and regardless of politics, we are thankful that the Trump Administration, under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy, has finally put a stop to it."
Since 1985, LCA has gone undercover in research facilities, documenting and exposing the suffering of dogs, cats, pigs, monkeys, rabbits, rats, mice, and guinea pigs, all in the name of "research." LCA has exposed the dirty business behind selling stolen animals, often stolen family pets, into research laboratories. One such investigation was the subject of the HBO documentary "Dealing Dogs," where a USDA-licensed Class B animal dealer busted by LCA proclaimed, "the FDA came out and basically gave a wink and a nod when inspecting his facilities."
"We've come a long way since the days of FDA and other government agencies turning a blind eye towards animal research," said DeRose. "LCA never gave up exposing the atrocities. This FDA announcement marks a significant step towards ending all animal experimentation, which has been my life's work."
Animals used by labs in medical research are often subject to painful procedures and are denied any pain relief. In many studies, pain is unavoidable because it is a component of what is being researched. Common procedures involving severe pain include eye and skin toxicity tests, electric shocks, burning, starvation, forced exercise, inhalation, and prolonged restraint.
Most animals used in research face a lifetime of isolated confinement in barren steel cages. Social animals with remarkable intelligence and complex emotional lives are deprived of enrichment, interaction, and virtually everything that makes their lives worth living. As a result, severe psychological distress is prevalent. At the end of studies, otherwise healthy animals are almost always killed and necropsied.
Terrified animals are freed from their cages only to be forced into cruel restraints. These torture devices physically restrain animals to prevent them from moving during painful and distressing procedures. For certain studies, animals are forced into such restraints day after day for a prolonged period.
"If an average American harmed animals in this way, they would face animal cruelty charges. But for some reason, torturing and killing the same animals in the name of science has remained justifiable under the law," said DeRose. "Thanks to the swift action of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, this news represents a major victory for the animals."
ABOUT LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS:
LCA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation through education, investigations, legislation, and public awareness campaigns. Since its formation in 1984, LCA has succeeded as one of the nation's pioneer animal advocacy groups. LCA's educational and public outreach programs have empowered the public to make positive changes for animals in their communities. For more information, visit https://lcanimal.org
SOURCE Last Chance For Animals
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