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Encourage Researchers to Prioritize Human-Relevant Scientific Models

Encourage Researchers to Prioritize Human-Relevant Scientific Models

Name of Bill: HEARTS Act Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences Act

Bill Number: HR 1024

Humane CosmeticsProof abounds that animal experiments are both cruel and largely ineffective at tackling human health issues. That is why we welcome the introduction of the bipartisan Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act in Congress. 

The HEARTS Act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide incentives to researchers to use non-animal methods. It also establishes a dedicated center within the NIH devoted to advancing non-animal methods and toward developing a plan for reducing the use of animals in federal funded research. The HEARTS Act will also update the definition of “animal” to include cephalopods (octopuses, squid, etc.) to ensure that the basic needs of these intelligent and sensitive animals are considered when used in NIH-funded research. 

As best stated by Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and supporter of the HEARTS Act, “The HEARTS Act will modernize the NIH to ensure that humane and human-relevant methods are at the heart of its science investment.” 

Calls to Action:

  1. Please contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to support this bill.
  2. Spread the word! Share this page with your social network.

 

Recipients

  • Your Representative

Contact

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Message

Support the HEARTS Act to prioritize humane, human-relevant science

Dear [Decision Maker],

I am writing as a constituent to ask for your support of the bipartisan Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act, H.R. 1024. This bill encourages the use and development of humane, human-based alternatives to animals in experiments funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Currently, funding by the NIH heavily favors animal research, even though there are increasingly more modern and more effective methods that are often cheaper and that lead to better scientific outcomes. The HEARTS Act will prioritize the use of these more effective methods by incentivizing their use in laboratories, establishing a center within the NIH dedicated to the funding and development of alternatives. It will also require that grant proposals are reviewed by at least one person with expertise in non-animal research methods.

In addition, the bill updates the definition of "animal" to include cephalopods (octopuses, squid, etc.) to ensure that the basic needs of these intelligent and sensitive animals are considered when used in NIH-funded research.

The HEARTS Act has the potential to greatly improve not only the quality of the science in the United States, but also the humaneness of our scientific endeavors. With great public support for moving away from funding animal experiments, the time is right to pass the HEARTS Act and modernize science.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]