May 12, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress submitted a letter to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, regarding its newly announced initiative to prioritize human-based research technologies while reducing the use of animals.

The letter, which was also shared with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services, emphasizes AMP’s support for a balanced and evidence-based transition into the next generation of biomedical research. But this shift must be comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive of the scientific resources and knowledge at our disposal, including ongoing work with animals. By combining the strengths of both traditional and emerging methodologies—alongside continual stakeholder input—we can uphold the health and safety of both people and animals and drive science forward in a responsible manner

To achieve this, AMP provides six recommendations:

1. Commit to an integrative approach to ensure stronger science.
2. Address infrastructure and knowledge gaps alongside interagency inconsistencies.
3. Sustain and implement recommendations from the 2021 NIH Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) animal research working group report.
4. Establish a NAMs rigor and reproducibility task force.
5. Preserve peer review quality and integrity.
6. Demonstrate commitment to the 3Rs through practice, not numbers.

Download a PDF copy of AMP’s letter here.

April 30, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress issued the following statement regarding the NIH’s April 29th announcement to launch an initiative focused on advancing human-based research technologies while reducing the use of animals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, April 29, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it is launching a new initiative focused on advancing human-based research technologies while reducing the use of animals. To achieve this, the agency plans to establish a new office within the Office of the Director called Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA).

Below, we briefly summarize the announcement, followed by additional context that may be helpful as the biomedical research community assesses next steps.

• The announcement acknowledges that “traditional animal models continue to be vital to advancing scientific knowledge” and seeks to expand researchers’ capabilities to answer complex biomedical research questions.
• New technologies can help researchers achieve more translatable results “either alone” or “in combination” with animal research.
• The goal of ORIVA will be to coordinate agency-wide efforts to develop, validate, and scale the use of non-animal methods across all of NIH’s research portfolio. Additionally, this office will serve as a “hub” for interagency coordination.
• As part of its efforts to expand the use of NAMs, ORIVA will bolster funding, training, and infrastructure for NAMs to improve accessibility and scale.
• NIH intends to implement mitigation training for grant review staff to address “any possible bias towards animal studies” while integrating NAMs expertise into study sections.
• On an annual basis, the agency plans to publicly report the total research spending in NAMs and animal studies to “measure progress toward reduction of funding for animal studies.”

While this announcement may seem new or groundbreaking, this move actually stems from recommendations made back in December 2023 by the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director’s Working Group on Catalyzing Novel Approach Methods (NAMs). In February 2024, then-NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli accepted the recommendations, signaling the agency’s intent to begin implementation.

However, how this new office and initiative are implemented will matter significantly. It is unclear how NIH plans to fund the development, validation, and training around NAMs—especially given looming budget uncertainties. Furthermore, this effort must not come at the expense of other critical research, including animal studies that continue to play a key role in public health.

Certain aspects of the initiative—such as annual public reporting of total research spending and addressing bias in study section reviews—raises legitimate concerns and highlights the need for the new office to take an inclusive, balanced approach to implementation that prevents undue influence from any single interest group.

This is precisely where stakeholder input becomes essential. However, it remains unclear how much stakeholder input will shape the priorities of this new office. The 2023 NIH report emphasized the importance of involving clinicians and other end-users to ensure that NAMs deliver meaningful, translational results. At the same time, the NAMs field still faces challenges around shared definitions, reporting standards, and data-sharing—all of which need to be resolved for such initiatives to succeed.

AMP is committed to advancing science that protects human and animal health. We fully support the thoughtful use of new tools, including NAMs, but believe real progress will come from an integrated approach—where insights from animal research help strengthen NAMs, and vice versa. We will be watching this closely and advocating for informed, balanced implementation every step of the way.

Download a PDF copy of AMP’s statement here. 

April 16, 2025

On April 16, Americans for Medical Progress issued the following statement regarding recent announcements from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to reducing animal research.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) affirms the essential role of animals in biomedical research and recognizes the growing momentum toward reducing and eventually replacing animals in areas of research where it is scientifically appropriate. This effort is evident in the recent announcements made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discontinue certain animal tests. As a national advocacy organization, we support strong science that generates safe, effective advancements for human and animal health. This includes the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) that are highly valuable for preliminary studies and increasingly serve as complementary tools alongside animal studies, enhancing our ability to gather robust, multidimensional data throughout the scientific process.

The FDA’s recent announcement to phase out animal testing requirements for monoclonal antibody therapies marks an admirable advancement, demonstrating the significant progress in science, technology, and medicine thanks to animal research. While some view this as a major policy shift, this change actually reflects the scientific community’s longstanding and ongoing commitment to integrate NAMs when it is scientifically appropriate and safe to do so. However, while NAMs are rapidly advancing and offer exciting potential, they are not yet capable of fully replacing animal studies across all areas of biomedical research and safety testing. These emerging tools still require rigorous validation to ensure they can consistently replicate the complexity of living systems.

Therefore, we are concerned that a premature or overly broad phaseout of animal studies with arbitrary timelines could unintentionally compromise the health and safety of both humans and animals. For example, the FDA’s Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies states, “In the long-term (3-5 years), FDA will aim to make animal studies the exception rather than the norm for pre-clinical safety/toxicity testing.” Although this objective is well-intentioned, it represents an impractical and short-sighted approach because scientific progress does not adhere to rigid timelines. Additionally, an accelerated plan could jeopardize research quality if scientists focus on fulfilling policy deadlines rather than prioritizing safety and scientific integrity.

Until NAMs are fully proven across a wide range of applications, it is critical that changes to longstanding research practices be implemented thoughtfully, transparently, and with the input of diverse stakeholders. This includes scientists developing non-animal methods, researchers who rely on these technologies in the lab, veterinarians and animal care staff with extensive knowledge of animal welfare, and industry sponsors who submit data (both animal and non-animal) to FDA for approval. Furthermore, public input must be a key component of this process to ensure that policy decisions are grounded in evidence and practicality.

Finally, any transition away from animal-based studies must include a clear and well-funded plan for the rehoming and long-term care of animals currently in research settings. Ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of these animals requires detailed logistics, adequate resources, and strong collaboration with sanctuaries, transport services, and animal care professionals.

AMP remains committed to advancing both science and animal welfare and believes these goals can and must be pursued together. We are prepared to engage constructively with regulatory agencies, researchers, and the public to help navigate this important step responsibly and ethically.

Download a PDF copy of AMP’s statement here. 

March 12, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) issued statement today to correct misinformation circulating about “transgender mice” in research.

Recent claims about federally funded research on “transgender mice” are inaccurate and misleading. This research is not related to gender identity; instead, they are focused on studying biological and reproductive development. Some have suggested the intended term was “transgenic mice,” but that is also incorrect in this context. Transgenic mice are used across many scientific fields—including reproductive biology—and are organisms that allow researchers to study how changes in their genes drive health and disease in humans and animals. Recent news does not directly target transgenic organisms. Rather, it focuses on studies investigating natural hormonal and developmental processes.

To clarify, these mice are not “transgender” in any human or social context. Research in this field helps scientists understand how sex hormones function and their effect when things go wrong, particularly in diseases and conditions like endometriosis, infertility, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. This work provides hope to countless individuals, whether in growing their families or enabling people to live longer, healthier lives when faced with a cancer diagnosis.

For instance, one of the research grants recently mischaracterized examines how male hormones, known as “androgens,” affect female hormone levels in women using genetic, molecular, and neurological techniques. Funding for this research is crucial and has already provided valuable insights into treatment options for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormone disorder in women of reproductive age that causes severe pain and fertility complications.

To summarize, the research involving these mice is not about gender identity, but instead focuses on understanding important biological processes that affect health, disease, and reproduction. Misrepresenting this work will hinder our ability to protect our children and weaken progress toward improving the health and well-being of all individuals, regardless of background or belief.

For more information about the importance of animal research in medicine, visit Americans for Medical Progress.

Download a PDF of the press release here

November 25, 2024

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) drafted and submitted a sign-on letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging robust support for biomedical animal research. The letter was submitted during a crucial time in the Congressional session, as funding negotiations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 are being finalized amid a Continuing Resolution (CR) set to end on December 20.

Joined by 26 other organizations, the letter underscores the vital role of animal research in developing treatments for humans and animals, empowering the U.S. to lead the way in global science and medicine. To further advance this important goal and address the ongoing challenges confronting the biomedical research community, the letter outlines three recommendations for House and Senate Appropriators:

1. Affirm and invest in necessary animal research to maintain biomedical progress, including the development of New Approach Methods (NAMs);
2. Emphasize high-quality science rather than funding restrictions and arbitrary deadlines;
3. Provide dedicated funding to support and expand the scientific workforce and animal research infrastructure.

To view a copy of the letter, click here.

October 4, 2024

In collaboration with 15 other organizations representing biomedical professional societies, nonprofits, veterinary medicine groups, and academic institutions, AMP drafted and transmitted a sign-on letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as they work to finalize the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 8070). The NDAA bill specifies the annual budget for the Department of Defense (DOD). Earlier this year, the House passed their own version of the bill which included an amendment prohibiting any DOD funds to be used for dog and cat research.

The sign-on letter encourages Congress to omit this section from the final bill. Additionally, the letter highlights how the DOD’s animal research program has yielded significant advancements in human and animal health. These advancements have proven beneficial to U.S. troops, veterans, and military dogs, particularly in the areas of cancer treatment and enhanced surgical techniques. Without sufficient support for this research, the letter notes that the U.S. risks forfeiting opportunities to provide life-saving medicine to future patients, thus weakening the country’s military and biomedical preparedness for emerging threats.

Here is a link to a copy of the letter – FY25 NDAA Sign-on_Animal Research_Final.

August 9, 2024

Nakul Aggarwal, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and future medical doctor, has been awarded the ACNP-AMP BRAD Fellowship. The fellowship is a partnership between the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the health research advocacy group Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). The fellowship aims to raise public awareness about the importance of research for mental health disorders and other brain-behavior topics, including drug interactions, as well as the role of animal studies required for this work.

Click here to read the full press release.

July 8, 2024

Curious Science Writers (CSW) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Karla Chavez-Smith as the new Curious Science Writers Educator Fellow. With her extensive background in science education and her passion for fostering scientific inquiry among high school students, Karla will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of CSW’s program.

Click here to see the full press release.

May 30, 2024

Does your organization have an Americans for Medical Progress subscription? If not, this spring is the perfect time to consider the extensive benefits of partnering with us. 

Each week throughout the month of May we’re highlighting some of our most impactful programs that support, protect and defend the biomedical research community. 

Here’s one more of the many services we offer:

Animal rights campaigns frequently seek to demonize and isolate biomedical research organizations, meaning that all too frequently, facilities are on their own when it comes to defending themselves and pushing back against negative narratives. 

That’s not the case when you partner with Americans for Medical Progress. 

AMP is staffed by longtime industry and academic insiders who can be deployed to talk with  reporters to communicate the critical need for animal studies and also the many protections in place for the animals involved. We regularly partner with research organizations to counter false or misleading claims and provide critical perspective in the press. 

We also regularly write op-eds and letters to the editor to ensure the public gets the full picture, so they can better understand the biomedical research process and also, the severe consequences if that process were disrupted. 

In short, we are there to back you up.    

This spring is a great time to consider an AMP subscription to obtain access. 

May 22, 2024

Does your organization have an Americans for Medical Progress subscription? If not, this spring is the perfect time to consider the many benefits of partnering with us. 

Each week throughout the month of May we’ll be telling you about some of our most impactful programs that support, protect and defend the biomedical research community. 

Here’s one more of the many services we offer:

One of AMP’s greatest strengths is its people, with decades of experience working within the research community, solving tough problems. Another strength is our connections and willingness to partner with other like-minded organizations both in the United States and around the globe. 

In order to effectively assist those we serve, we’ve combined our own expertise with the knowledge of others to create a wide variety of popular educational and outreach programs.  These include:

• Biomedical Research Awareness Day, an international learning event to expand understanding about the need for animal studies.
• Curious Science Writers, a year-long science writing program for high school students to engage and inform the next generation.
• and Come See Our World, an extensive photo and video gallery showing real research animals in accurate settings, a powerful resource for research organizations, classrooms, and the media.

We also offer internally-focused instruction, which provides staff members with expanded knowledge, skills  and abilities.  For instance, our communications/media training helps you effectively translate the complexities of the biomedical research process for a wide variety of audiences. We train individuals how to conduct public presentations. We can even provide your research and animal care employees with extensive advice on responding to questions about their day-to-day work. 

Other AMP offerings include advice for giving public presentations and strategies to make your organization a harder target when it comes to animal rights infiltrations and what you can do if you are targeted in this way. 

And that’s just a snapshot of our diverse educational offerings. 

This spring is a great time to consider an AMP subscription to obtain access.