The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced its strategic priorities, including plans to reduce animal testing in favor of alternative models. However, some animal rights activists are criticizing the plan as not going far enough.
According to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, the agency aims to demonstrate a commitment to using taxpayer dollars wisely and aligning goals with the American public’s trust. However, Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president of laboratory investigations at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), argues that more drastic change is needed.
Guillermo states that PETA urges Bhattacharya to recognize that some people in high places are pushing the NIH to break away from traditional animal testing methods. Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul has been a persistent critic of animal testing at health agencies and co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Cory Booker to permit alternative methods.
The FDA has already announced a move away from animal testing for research and drug development, with Commissioner Marty Makary meeting with PETA in July. Nevertheless, the debate over animal testing remains contentious, with some arguing that it can lead to more effective treatments while others see it as an unnecessary harm to animals.
As the NIH continues to explore alternative methods, it remains to be seen whether their plans will meet the demands of activists and researchers alike.
Source: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/future-pulse/2025/08/19/nih-plans-heat-up-animal-testing-debate-00513901