Senate Passes Bill Removing Animal Testing Requirements For Drugs

The Senate on Thursday (Sept. 29) passed by unanimous consent a bipartisan bill that would eliminate requirements that experimental drugs first be tested on animals. The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY), gives drug sponsors the option to use rigorous, proven non-animal testing methods when appropriate. The bill maintains sponsors’ abilities to use animal testing where it is appropriate. Alternative methods to animal testing could include cell-based assays, organ chips and micro-physiological systems, sophisticated computer...