PETA Scientists Win NIH Award for Antibodies That Don’t Use Animals

While antibodies derived from the bodies of animals continue to cause trouble in the research world, PETA scientists aren’t only finding animal-free solutions, they’re winning awards in the process!

PETA scientists, along with other members of a multidisciplinary team, received the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Replication Prize for their work to solve a colossal problem with animal-derived antibodies: reliability.

Antibodies are essential tools for detecting viruses, bacteria, and other molecules in research. But a research tool in science requires consistent, predictable performance. Each batch of antibodies taken from animals’ bodies, even from the same individual, differs from the next, which can lead to unexpected or undesirable outcomes. A prominent study found that nearly one-third of antibodies don’t do what they’re supposed to: stick to very specific molecules.

Despite their unpredictability, millions of animals, including rabbits, mice, rats, goats, sheep, llamas, cows, and horses, are used each year to produce antibodies. These individuals have been held in bleak conditions, deprived of basic care, and left with untreated injuries or infections.

One method used to create some of the most popular research antibodies involves inducing tumors in mice and repeatedly collecting antibody-rich fluid—a process that can cause severe suffering, leaving animals unable to eat, walk, or breathe properly.

NIH Awards Science That’s Moved Past Using Animals to Produce Antibodies

PETA scientists and collaborators earned NIH recognition and a cash award for advancing non-animal antibodies using “recombinant” technology.

Recombinant antibodies are considered superior because they are sequence-defined (generated from a known DNA sequence) and are infinitely reproducible. They have a strong ability to stick to their intended target and perform reliably from batch-to-batch.

PETA scientists and their team focused on three key avenues for antibody innovation: help create new, high-quality non-animal antibodies, make them accessible for scientists to buy and use, and teach students and researchers about the benefits of non-animal antibodies.

For years, PETA scientists have led this three-part effort to develop, promote, and educate the research community about recombinant antibodies. This includes partnering with national agencies and industry experts to outline a plan for a large-scale transition to non-animal antibodies. A recently published review from PETA scientists shows that many commonly used animal-derived antibodies in scientific research already have readily available replacements that won’t use more animals.

Leading scientists agree that replacement of animal-derived antibodies must happen now. Thankfully, researchers can use non-animal antibodies in all applications where animal-derived antibodies are currently used, and with PETA’s help, the shift toward recombinant antibody production is rapidly gaining ground.

Help End the Use of Animals to Produce Antibodies

Better, non-animal antibodies already exist, and science agrees it’s time to move forward! Sign the petition to help end the use of animal‑derived antibodies and encourage decision-makers to support proven, effective animal‑free science.