(Washington D.C.), A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has reintroduced legislation to push the Food and Drug Administration to adopt modern alternatives to animal testing.
The bill would require the FDA to speed up its approval of new testing methods that don’t involve animals, such as cell-based research, computer models, and lab-grown organ tissues. These methods are said to be more reliable, cost-effective, and humane.
The National Institute of Health, the primary U.S. government agency responsible for medical and health research, spends approximately $5.5 billion annually on taxpayer-funded animal testing, according to documents.
U.S. Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., the bill’s leading sponsor, said, “We cannot allow the FDA to continue to delay implementing this critical law. If passed, this bipartisan legislation will require the FDA to finally update its regulations and will pave the way for more scientifically reliable and humane methods of drug development.”
Between 90% and 95% of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human trials, which can take up to 15 years and cost between $1 billion and $6 billion, according to a news release from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
U.S. Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., the bill’s leading sponsor, said, “We cannot allow the FDA to continue to delay implementing this critical law. If passed, this bipartisan legislation will require the FDA to finally update its regulations and will pave the way for more scientifically reliable and humane methods of drug development.”
Between 90% and 95% of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human trials, which can take up to 15 years and cost between $1 billion and $6 billion, according to a news release from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
He continued, “This legislation will focus FDA’s attention where it needs to be – improving regulations that will lead to better treatments, more cures.”
