SPARE Act: Feds Aim to Pull Funding from Most Animal Testing, Boost Alternatives

The "Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics Act" (SPARE Act) is a new bill that aims to significantly cut down on animal testing in federally funded research. The core idea? Stop taxpayer money from going towards research, testing, or experiments that use animals, with a few exceptions. (SEC. 3)

Phasing Out Animal Testing: What It Means

The bill sets deadlines for ending funding: 18 months for cosmetic, toxicity, and basic psychological/behavioral testing, and three years for biomedical or drug testing. (SEC. 3) This could mean big changes for labs and researchers who rely on federal grants. For example, a university lab currently using mice to study a new drug would need to switch to alternative methods within three years or lose federal funding for that project.

Exceptions to the Rule: Where Animal Testing Might Still Happen

Not all animal testing is on the chopping block. The bill makes exceptions for:

• Clinical veterinary research: So, research aimed at improving animal health is still okay.
• Military or service animal training: Programs involving working animals for the military or assisting people with disabilities can continue.
• National security and infectious disease research: But only if Congress gives explicit approval via a joint resolution, AND it's proven that animals are absolutely necessary, and no other options exist. (SEC. 3)

From Lab to Lap (or Sanctuary): A New Life for Research Animals

One of the most interesting parts of the SPARE Act is what happens to the animals after research. The bill requires federally funded facilities to set up programs to release animals to rescue organizations, accredited sanctuaries, licensed shelters, or even "eligible individuals." (SEC. 3) Think of it as a mandatory retirement plan for lab animals. Vets will need to certify the animals are healthy enough for release, and experts will help figure out the best placement.

Funding the Future: The "Federal Research Modernization Fund"

To help make the switch from animal testing, the bill sets up a "Federal Research Modernization Fund." This fund, managed by the National Science Foundation, will give out grants to help researchers transition to non-animal methods. (SEC. 3) This could mean funding for things like:

• Developing and validating new testing methods that don't use animals.
• Training researchers and lab staff on these new techniques.
• Helping different organizations work together to speed up the transition.

Keeping Tabs: Audits and a Public Database

To make sure everyone's following the rules, the bill calls for annual audits by the Comptroller General of the United States. (SEC. 3) These audits will check if facilities are complying with the ban and releasing animals as required. The results will be reported to Congress, and there will even be congressional hearings. Plus, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Director of the National Institutes of Health will create a public database of all the animals released. (SEC. 3)

Penalties for Breaking the Rules

If a federal contractor, subcontractor, or grantee violates the rules, they could face a civil penalty of up to $250,000. (SEC. 3)

The Big Picture

The SPARE Act reflects a growing push to move away from animal testing, driven by both ethical concerns and the development of new, potentially more reliable, research methods. It specifically cites that "Millions of animals are used each year in research funded by the federal government, costing taxpayers billions of dollars annually" and that "Modern non-animal research alternatives offer more reliable and ethical methods." (SEC. 2). However, it also raises questions. How will the exceptions be handled, especially for national security? Will the Modernization Fund be enough to truly support the shift? And how will facilities manage the logistics of releasing animals, particularly when it comes to finding suitable homes or sanctuaries? These are the practical challenges that will need to be addressed as this bill moves forward.