AAVS News
March 27, 2025
Tell FDA to allow non-animal testing
Urge Senate to Pass Bill Requiring FDA to
Allow Non-Animal Testing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is dragging its feet to update drug testing regulations that will modernize drug development and spare countless numbers of animals from unnecessary suffering. The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was enacted two years ago, requiring the agency “to allow for alternatives to animal testing for purposes of drug and biological product applications.” However, the FDA has failed to amend regulations to reflect this change. Countering this inaction, the bipartisan FDA Modernization Act 3.0 (S. 355) was introduced to Congress and directs the FDA to implement the law to make it clear that data from non-animal methods will be accepted as part of the drug approval process.
The FDA’s drug testing approval process is based on a decades old law and technology that relies on animal tests. Considering that it’s widely acknowledged that over 90% of new drugs tested on animals fail in human clinical trials, it’s time for the FDA to reduce its dependance on animal test data that is not directly applicable to human conditions. Instead it should embrace modern, human-based technologies such as computer modeling, 3D cell cultures, organoids, and organs-on-chips. Doing so will save lives, better protect human health, improve the lives of patients, and optimize valuable resources—without subjecting animals to pain and suffering.
Other News
Alternative Test to Predict Liver Damage
The most common reason for pharmaceuticals to fail in clinical trials or be recalled from the market is drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which can cause life-threatening damage. Predicting a drug’s risk to cause DILI has been difficult because researchers have traditionally relied on 2D cell-based models and dubious tests using animals, who metabolize and excrete drugs differently than humans. But new studies show that complex 3D in vitro models made of human cells can better mimic real-life conditions and deliver more applicable data.
Overcoming the Organ Shortage Without Animals
Some scientists believe that the human donor organ shortage can be solved by taking organs from animals and implanting them into human patients, an expensive and often risky process called xenotransplantation. This study argues that there are better approaches that are more practical, less costly, and maximize current resources, without putting human and animal lives at risk. These include improving disease prevention to reduce demand; improving transplantation methods; and changing donor policies and human organ recovery methods to increase supply.
Sanctuary Moment
Project Chimps
You might know that chimpanzees have complex social lives, just like people do. There are leaders and followers, introverts and extroverts, nurturers and players, instigators and peacemakers, and these different personalities not only help shape the social structure of family groups, but also how well everyone gets along.
Take Lindsey, for example: The folks at the Project Chimps sanctuary consider her to be the family peacemaker in the Chimps Ahoy Villa. According to her caregivers, Lindsey is a high-ranking female who is keenly aware of the emotions and feelings of her family members, and when there is a conflict, she often steps in, separating the chimps or distracting them with play or grooming. Her mediation strategies help bring a quick end to arguments and prevent things from escalating.
Lindsey, who is more of an extrovert, is best pals with her lifelong friend Rosemary, who is shy and reserved—just like humans, opposites attract! When Rosemary is sad or uncomfortable, Lindsey comforts her and will quickly stop anyone from teasing her. Another reason why Lindsey is such a great BFF: she always shares her favorite sweet potato snack with Rosemary!
Project Chimps, a longtime AAVS Sanctuary Grant recipient, has a great blog where they share fun stories and relatable moments that happen in the lives of the chimpanzees in their care. Be sure to check it out!