AAAS fights pending animal research bill
The American Association for the Advancement of Science says a pending animal law would threaten U.S. research.
The AAAS says the plan to restrict colleges, universities and other research institutions from purchasing laboratory animals from some suppliers could have a very serious impact on health and agricultural research, as well as the U.S. economy.
In a letter sent to members of a House-Senate conference committee, the organization urged the proposal be removed from the pending Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Under the proposed spending proviso, funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration could no longer be used to purchase research animals from Class B dealers. Such dealers obtain or purchase animals, sometimes from pounds, and resell them to research labs.
AAAS CEO Alan Leshner said such a restriction could bar USDA and FDA funding for entire institutions involved in cutting-edge research, even research unrelated to animals.
Leshner is also executive publisher of the journal Science.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
