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. 

May 15, 2025

Does your organization hold an Americans for Medical Progress subscription? If not, this spring is the right 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:

When it comes to minimizing or possibly even preventing a crisis, one of the best strategies is to identify serious risks early. That’s where Americans for Medical Progress comes in. 

We’re constantly searching for threats to the biomedical research community. These might include animal welfare claims, activist FOIA requests, protests, concerning social media posts and more. And when we spot something, we let you know right away. 

And if you support AMP, we can customize and significantly expand these efforts. We use a wide variety of tools to identify emerging challenges for your organization.  We also offer crisis consultations, available 24/7, to those with active AMP subscriptions. 

If you don’t already have a subscription, sign up today to take advantage of this vital service. 

Does your organization maintain a subscription with Americans for Medical Progress? If not, this springtime is the perfect time to consider the many benefits of becoming a financial partner.

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 just one of the many services we offer:

Years ago, most universities and biotech companies provided only minimal information on their websites about the important role of animals in health research. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case, as many organizations have bolstered and embraced public education and outreach efforts.

If you need help getting started, we’re here to assist. However, even if your website already includes a public information section, biomedical research is constantly evolving, just like public attitudes. As a result, occasional updates, adjustments and expansions are needed in order to inform key audiences.

That’s where AMP comes in. 

Americans for Medical Progress is constantly creating new materials – such as tip sheets, advice articles and messaging on emerging topics – to help organizations effectively communicate about the need for animal studies.

Better yet, most of these resources are just a few clicks away. We post them on the AMP Partner Resources Portal, a password protected section of our website filled with extensive materials and advice. And all of these items are available 24-7 to organizations that support our mission.

If your employer is already a supporter and you want access, drop us an email. If you want more information about our subscription levels, send us a note.

And that’s just one of the many benefits available to AMP subscribers

Click here to make an organizational donation. We also accept individual gifts. 

Or click here to contact us and learn about our comprehensive services and programs

Does your organization maintain a subscription with Americans for Medical Progress? If not, this spring is the perfect time to consider the wide-ranging benefits of becoming a financial partner with AMP.

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 just one of the many services we offer:

Did a challenging public records request just land on your desk? Has a reporter asked to speak with someone at your facility? Does the portion of your website focused on animal studies require major updates or do you need help in improving internal communications related to animal studies?

Organizations that support Americans for Medical Progress have access to all of these communications services and more. Our staff members have deep experience working in both academic and private biomedical research settings. As a result, we are not only familiar with most challenges, we’ve often developed effective strategies to overcome them.

In addition, AMP has broad connections with universities and companies across the United States, meaning we have likely assisted with similar issues in the past or can connect you with peers who can provide additional advice when necessary.

And don’t forget, we also accept individual donations to help support our mission!

Click here to make an organizational or personal donation

Or click here to contact us to learn more about our comprehensive services and programs

On Thursday, April 11, 2024 an AMP opinion article on a crucially important topic was published in the Tallahassee Democrat. The op-ed is focused on the current shortage of nonhuman primates for biomedical research in the United States. The shortage was created by a variety of factors, including China’s decision to end animal exports during the pandemic, requiring biomedical research companies to quickly seek out alternative sources for these crucially important animals. The increased need for NHP studies to develop new COVID-19 vaccines and therapies also had a significant impact on the supply of research animals.

In recent months, plans to build much-needed breeding facilities on U.S. soil have repeatedly been targeted by a variety of animal rights organizations. AMP authored this opinion article to provide some critical context and inform the public about why facilities such as this are urgently needed to protect both human and animal health.

Excerpt:  

“If you’ve received a flu vaccine, or given your child cold medicine, you have directly benefited from animal research. If you’ve taken insulin for diabetes, received the polio vaccine, undergone chemotherapy, underwent coronary bypass surgery, had kidney dialysis, or taken medications for psychiatric illnesses, research in nonhuman primates played a big part in those treatments.”

“Critics often argue that computer models or organs-on-a-chip can replace animal research. And while these technologies help reduce the number of animals that need to be studied, they are still in their infancy and cannot fully replicate the intricate workings of the human body. “

Read more