ARI/HSUS News

		U.S. House of Representatives Supports Strengthened Federal Protections On July 27, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Farm Bill, which included an amendment that melds two stand-alone bills related to animal research. The Israel-Doyle amendment is named for its sponsors, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.). The amendment incorporates the Pet Safety and Protection Act, which prohibits the use in research of random source dogs and cats obtained from Class B dealers, as well as the Animal Welfare Animal Welfare Accountability Improvement Act, which bans the use of live animals in sales demonstrations of medical devices. The latter bill also increases penalties for research-related violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of the Inspector General, and calls for reinstatement of the USDA's annual reports on compliance with the AWA. The Class B dealer provision is in response to a history of noncompliance with the AWA, culminating in a recent undercover investigation and HBO documentary of a Class B dealer in Arkansas. The sales demonstration provision is in response to a recent high-profile incident at the Cleveland Clinic, in which a staff member demonstrated a medical device on a live dog as a sales gimmick. The dog underwent surgery and was later killed. The HSUS had lobbied hard for both bills and applauds the House's action on the Doyle/Israel amendment. The Farm Bill will next be considered by the U.S. Senate.

Another High-Profile Failure of Animal Models

An article in The Scientist chronicles the most recent high-profile failure associated with using animals as models in human drug development. NSY-059, a neuroprotective drug intended for use in stroke patients, was successful in preclinical animal trials but failed when tested on humans. According to the article, this drug trial joins at least 12 others for similar drugs that succeeded in animals but failed when applied to humans.

NSY-059 was hailed as the first neuroprotective agent to be developed according to guidelines developed by Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR), a committee that issued guidance to help standardize the development of preclinical and clinical stroke drugs. STAIR was convened in part because, unlike the standardization in human drug trials, there was no "best practice" standardization for testing drugs on animals. Past studies have demonstrated that variable factors, such as the gender and age of the animal, level of enrichment, sympathy pains, and nutrition, can affect the outcome of animal tests. The recommendations—such as testing on both sexes and on various ages of animals—were believed to be the answer to the past failures in animal models. However, standardization of animal testing methods has not resolved the issue so far.

Second Malfunction at Purdue Causes More Animal Deaths

A climate control malfunction at Purdue University in July led to the death of 45 research mice. In May, a similar incident left 75 chickens and four mice dead. A new alarm system had been installed; however it was not ready at the time of the earlier incident and was not yet activated at the time of the second incident. The latest deaths could cost the university approximately $10,000, according to a Purdue spokesperson.

The recent malfunction, in the Life Science Animal Building, involved a valve that was stuck open all night, allowing incoming hot air to raise the temperature inside the room to 102 degrees, well above the recommended temperature of 64-79 degrees Fahrenheit. John Miller of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International estimates that temperature malfunctions that result in animal deaths occur in accredited institutions approximately six times per year but that in large institutions with multiple rooms this number could be as high as once a month.

Reacting to Miller's estimates, Martin Stephens, HSUS vice president for animal research issues, stated, "Animal deaths stemming from periodic mishaps should not be regarded as business as usual. This situation is completely unacceptable. Research facilities should invest in infrastructure upgrades that would prevent such mishaps."

 

'Chimp Haven is Home' Amendment Introduced

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to prevent chimpanzees formerly used in biomedical experimentation from being pulled out of retirement and put back into laboratories. The "Chimp Haven is Home Act" (S. 1916/H.R. 3295), co-introduced by Senators Burr (R-North Carolina), Landrieu (D-Louisiana) and Vitter (R-Louisiana) and by Representatives McCrery (R-Louisiana) and Melancon (D-Louisiana), would amend the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection (CHIMP) Act of 2000.

The CHIMP Act authorized construction of a federally funded sanctuary system to which chimpanzees formerly used in research would be retired. The chimpanzee is the only species used in research afforded such protection. Chimp Haven was awarded a 10-year contract to oversee the sanctuary system, which so far houses approximately 120 chimpanzees. The CHIMP Act prohibits invasive research on the chimpanzees while they live at the sanctuary; however the law allows chimps to be removed from the sanctuary for further use in research under certain conditions. The Chimp Haven is Home Act, strongly supported by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), would remove this provision.

"It is important to close the loophole that allows for chimpanzees to be returned to research," said The HSUS's Kathleen Conlee. "These animals deserve permanent sanctuary after all they have endured as research subjects."