FASEB Responds to Bill Seeking to End Federal Funding for Animal Research

By: Galen Cobb
Thursday, May 8, 2025
On May 7, FASEB issued a letter opposing the proposed Save Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics (SPARE) Act and urging Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis and co-sponsors of the bill to withdraw their support. The SPARE Act, introduced in the House of Representatives on March 28, seeks to prohibit the use of animals in federally funded research, a proposal that could have severe consequences for biomedical progress, U.S. scientific leadership, and public health.

In its letter, FASEB emphasized that animal research is essential to the American biomedical enterprise, citing its critical role in advancing treatments for major diseases, supporting U.S. leadership in science and innovation, and driving discoveries that benefit both human and animal health. The letter also addressed misconceptions about non-animal alternatives, noting that these methods cannot fully replicate the complexity of living systems, and warned that ending animal research in the U.S. would likely shift it to countries with lower animal welfare standards.

Organizations interested in signing on to FASEB’s letter should contact Galen Cobb, PhD, at gcobb@faseb.org.