Animal experiments break our heart, so this Valentine’s Day we’re hoping that the US government will show some love to animals by adopting the bipartisan Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act.

The HEARTS Act would change US law to ensure non-animal testing methods are used instead of animal experiments whenever possible by:

• Providing incentives to use non-animal approaches to scientists seeking funding by prioritizing grant proposals relying on non-animal models.

• Ensuring all available non-animal research methods are evaluated before funding any experiment involving use of animals.

• Establishing guidelines for grant applicants on conducting searches for non-animal methods, and carrying out harm-benefit analysis of proposed animal research.

Although the availability of effective and humane non-animal methods is increasing in all areas of research, the National Institute of Health (NIH) spends at least 12 billion tax-payer dollars a year funding animal experiments.

Today we’re sharing the love with Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA) who followed their hearts to introduce this important bill.

Our North America Campaigns Manager Monica Engebretson, who will join the Representatives along with the Animal Welfare Institute to advance the bill, says: “Modern non-animal testing methods spare animals from suffering in laboratories and dying in painful experiments. They are also increasingly less costly and more human-relevant than animal tests. Replacing animal tests does not mean putting human patients at risk or halting medical progress. Instead it will improve the quality as well as the humaneness of our science. The time is right for the NIH to prioritize the use of existing humane and scientifically valid alternatives in research and testing.”