Letter: Time to rethink funds for animal research

Each year, millions of animals – cats, dogs, non-human primates and others – suffer and die in research laboratories.

World Week for Animals in Laboratories (April 18-26) is an opportunity to expose their plight and the broken federal research funding system that perpetuates outdated animal experiments at the expense of modern, more humane technologies.

Despite claims from vested interests, animal research is not necessary to promote human health. Recent published studies have confirmed an old boys network operates the federal grant award process, keeping “aging cash cows” afloat while leaving younger, innovative investigators struggling.

The result: a vast amount of antiquated, unnecessary and patently ridiculous experiments like those identified recently by In Defense of Animals. These include tax-supported studies of cocaine-addicted quail, nipple preference in nursing infant monkeys, toy preference in young monkeys, and effect of high-fat diets on mice (it made them fat and sleepy).

As billions flow into this waste, 44 million Americans lack adequate healthcare coverage. One place to eliminate wasteful government spending is to rethink funding for animal research.  This is one area that is overdue for reform.

Josie Duvall

Sutter