Newswise — Rockville, Md.—A new report released by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), Americans for Medical Progress, the National Association for Biomedical Research, and the Foundation for Biomedical Research recommends strategies and tactics to mitigate animal rights activism. The report, Animal Research Activism: Update and Recommendations to Promote Communication, Transparency, and Public Outreach About Animal Research, is designed to educate the animal research community about the evolving threat of animal rights activism and encourage stakeholders to improve communication and outreach efforts.
Using a variety of tactics, animal rights groups continually pressure funding agencies and institutions, as well as individual investigators who conduct biomedical research with animals, often garnering viral news coverage that mischaracterizes important scientific work. Their tactics not only disrupt critical research progress, but also distress researchers and animal care staff. In response, this report provides broad recommendations for the research community to use to mitigate activists’ legislative, policy, media, and grassroots campaigns.
The public trusts the research community to conduct studies in an ethical manner for the good of society. For decades, FASEB has upheld that trust and remains committed to the proper care and humane treatment of animals in biomedical research. View our animal research factsheets. This latest report, Animal Research Activism, continues that commitment.
“This new report continues FASEB’s decades-long work to support and advocate for biomedical animal research,” says Kevin C. Kregel, PhD, Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Iowa and FASEB President. “Working with our partners—Americans for Medical Progress, the National Association for Biomedical Research, and the Foundation for Biomedical Research—the report provides a framework for the biomedical research community that demonstrates how outreach, education, and advocacy for animal research can effectively counter animal rights groups’ tactics.”
Minimizing Animal Rights Actions
“One of the most effective strategies that we can use to ensure continued scientific progress and limit the impacts of animal rights activism is to increase public education and communication about our institutions’ research programs. This report provides a roadmap for entities that conduct animal research to follow,” says Kregel.
Animal Research Activism shares strategies that animal rights groups use to shift public opinion, prohibit funding for animal studies, and impede research progress. It also provides broad recommendations for federal agencies, institutions, and individual scientists to protect against the growing threat of animal rights campaigns.
The information and guidance contained in the report is organized into three main categories:
- Examination of tactics used by animal rights groups: Animal rights groups use a variety of tactics to discourage public support for animal research, intimidate scientists, and prevent federal investments in scientific research with animals. The report discusses many of these strategies and tactics, which range from nonviolent and legal to illegal and extremist.
- Suggested proactive strategies to minimize targeted action: The report emphasizes how the biomedical research community can take concerted, collaborative steps to minimize targeted action from animal rights groups while fostering a more open and inclusive environment that recognizes the value of animal research. For example, the report provides recommendations for funding agencies to enhance communication efforts and outlines how research facilities should develop organizational crisis management plans to minimize the risk of animal rights action.
- Recommendations to promote communication, openness, and public outreach about animal research: To enhance communications in support of animal research, the report also details how the animal research community can communicate with lawmakers, nonscientists, local law enforcement officials, and others.
The recommendations listed in Animal Research Activism are meant to be best practices and serve as a framework for organizations, researchers, and animal care and use program staff to adapt and develop individual policies and best practices.
For more information about the use of animals in biomedical research, view FASEB’s Animals in Research and Education resources.
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About FASEB
FASEB is comprised of 27 scientific member societies with 115,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB’s mission is to advance health and well-being by promoting research and education in biological and biomedical sciences through collaborative advocacy and service to member societies and their members. Learn more at www.faseb.org.
About Americans for Medical Progress
Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) is a nonprofit, health research advocacy group that supports the advancement of human and animal medicine through responsible and highly regulated research in animals. AMP informs the public about animal-based research through outreach events like Biomedical Research Awareness Day, news and opinion articles, social media interactions and various online and printed publications. AMP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity supported by the nation’s top universities, private research facilities, research-related businesses, scientific and professional societies, as well as by foundation grants and contributions by individuals. AMP’s Board of Directors is composed of physicians, researchers, veterinarians, and university officials.
About National Association for Biomedical Research
Founded in 1979, the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) is the only 501(c)(6) non-profit association dedicated to sound public policy for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. Members include more than 340 universities, medical and veterinary schools, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient groups, and academic and professional societies who rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance global human and animal health. Learn more about us at www.nabr.org.
About Foundation for Biomedical Research
The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) is America’s most experienced, trusted and effective nonprofit dedicated to improving human and animal health by promoting public understanding and support for biomedical research. Together with the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), FBR illuminates the essential role animal testing and research plays in changing health outcomes and defeating illnesses affecting both people and animals.
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