PETA Science Group Applauds FDA Plan to Phase Out Animal Testing
When PETA Science Consortium International funded the development of non-animal antibodies intended to treat a potentially deadly bacterial infection, PETA scientists set an unprecedented goal—to begin human clinical trials without killing any animals.
That ambitious goal is not just a dream but could become a reality!
In a recent news release, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the agency would move to replace tests on animals in the development of monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs with more effective, human-relevant methods. This policy change could save thousands of animals each year from dying inside laboratories in tests irrelevant to human health, inspiring a new era of ethical science.
“By leveraging AI-based computational modeling, human organ model-based lab testing, and real-world human data, we can get safer treatments to patients faster and more reliably, while also reducing [research and development] costs and drug prices. It is a win-win for public health and ethics,” stated FDA Commissioner Martin Makary.
In the U.S., new drugs are extensively tested on animals, but PETA scientists devised a plan to verify the safety of its antibody treatment using non-animal, human-relevant techniques. In a 2022 meeting, the FDA stated that the proposed non-animal testing strategy is reasonable. Since then, PETA scientists have brought the same plan to government agencies around the world, and in every case, the agencies echoed the FDA’s opinion. PETA scientists are ready to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the FDA’s planned phase-out, and to set a precedent that could change pharmaceutical testing as we know it. Drug developers will now see the possibility of prioritizing modern, non-animal data over tests on animals.
What You Can Do
PETA scientists applaud the FDA’s significant step towards phasing out testing requirements on animals and will continue to push for policies that are best for all living beings. Right now, your support is crucial! Urge the FDA to do right by animals and millions of consumers—tell the FDA to stop pushing companies to conduct tests on animals for sunscreens that have been safely on the market for decades.
