In a significant shift toward more humane science, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing more than $150 million to advance research methods that more accurately replicate human biology without relying on animal testing, according to a news release from the agency.
This funding will help support a program focused on creating and standardizing lab- and computer-based approaches to study critical areas such as neurological disorders, gynecological conditions, cardiac disease, and other ailments.
A central hub will help researchers share data and set standards, while a separate network — working with industry and regulators — will make sure these methods are reliable and ready for real-world use.
The announcement comes nearly a year after both the NIH and FDA said they would begin reducing animal testing in favor of more reliable alternatives.
“This is an exciting opportunity to create a repertoire of human-focused methods that are so sophisticated and comprehensive that successful clinical translation will rise and we will be able to answer questions beyond our reach with current research models,” stated Nicole Kleinstreuer, NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives.
Animals confined in laboratories face isolation, distress, and invasive procedures, and are often killed once they are no longer deemed useful. This funding represents a step toward reducing that harm while supporting more effective, modern research methods.
Lady Freethinker applauds the NIH’s shift toward cruelty-free research and will continue to push for a future in which animals are no longer used in experiments.
