The presentation by Matthew R. Bailey, Executive Vice President of the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), outlines the current landscape of public policy and regulatory challenges surrounding animal research at universities. NABR, advocating for humane animal research for over 35 years, has been instrumental in supporting legislation such as the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) of 2006, which provides legal tools to combat animal rights extremism. Despite their efforts, the field faces significant opposition from well-funded and organized animal rights groups such as HSUS, PETA, and PCRM, which continue to lobby for restrictions and promote alternative methods. Regulatory burdens and administrative tasks now occupy a substantial portion of researchers' time, prompting calls for revisions to certain Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations to enhance research efficiency.
Furthermore, open records laws, particularly the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), are frequently utilized by animal rights organizations to target researchers and institutions, sometimes resulting in the release of sensitive information. The Beagle Freedom Project is highlighted as a particularly aggressive group employing innovative tactics, such as legislative initiatives and public campaigns, to curtail animal research and gain access to laboratory animals. In response, NABR has collaborated with stakeholders to strengthen legal protections for researchers in states like New York and Florida. The presentation concludes with a reaffirmation of the societal value of biomedical research involving animals and encourages university engagement with NABR to safeguard the continuation of vital scientific work.
