Like the medical research field, animal research for the development of cosmetic products is causing great suffering to thousands of animals. The protections of the Animal Welfare Act do not apply to rats, mice, fish, and birds - which account for 95% of the animals used in cosmetics research. This allows labs to keep animals in harsh conditions while subjecting them to abusive experiments. Research animals endure chemicals being forced into their throats, eyes or skin before dying. Critics say animal experiments for cosmetics continue even though non-animal tests are widely available. Instead of measuring how long it takes a chemical to burn the cornea of a rabbit’s eye, manufacturers can now drop that chemical onto cornea-like 3D tissue structures produced from human cells. Likewise, human skin cultures can be grown for skin irritation testing, with less cost and time than animal testing.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R. 1024 - Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences Act or the HEARTS Act of 2022
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pappas (NH)

• I oppose reforming current research animal policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
• I support establishing a center within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and requiring other activities to promote alternatives to using animals in research and testing by:
  
  1.) Developing nonanimal research models (e.g., advanced cell cultures and advanced imaging systems) and training scientists about these methods.
  
  2.) Requiring federal departments, agencies or federally funded research entities that use animals for research and testing, to develop and update plans for reducing such uses and periodically report on the number and types of animals that they use to the center.
  
  3.) Establishing a standard process for entities to submit and update their plans and reports and for making the plans and reports publicly available.
  
  4.) Requiring the NIH to provide incentives for the use of nonanimal research and generally ensure that nonanimal alternatives are considered when reviewing and approving research applications and proposals.
  
  5.) Requiring NIH applications for research grants to include an assurance that nonanimal methods for carrying out the research are unavailable.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Chris Pappas (NH)and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.