Skip to main content

Taking suffering out of science

Scientific progress and product safety do not need to come at the cost of animal suffering. We are working to speed up the transition from harmful animal experiments to modern, animal-free methods. 

90
percent of drugs tested on animals

ultimately fail in human trials, according to the National Institutes of Health

0
mice, rats and birds

bred to be used in experiments are protected under the Animal Welfare Act or counted by the USDA

45
countries

have full or partial bans on cosmetics animal testing

Look inside the issue

Each year, an estimated 190 million animals are forced to endure painful experiments. Their suffering is wasted and unnecessary: The results don’t usually mimic how humans will respond to drugs, chemicals or treatments, and misleading data can delay medical progress for people. 

A researcher injects a laboratory rabbit's ear for testing

unoL/iStock

Rabbits forced to endure painful, frightening tests.

Physical torment

Rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats have substances forced down their throats, dripped into their eyes or smeared onto their skin before they are killed for chemical and pesticide testing.

Sad Rhesus Macaque monkey in a cage

ArtEvent ET/iStock

Kept in a cage and forced to participate.

Psychological distress

Animals are often subjected to physical and psychological distress. For example, monkeys are taken away from their mothers as infants to study how extreme stress might affect human behavior.

Mouse enduring pain.

AHWLA

Terrified and then killed.

Tragic end

Animals are typically killed once an experiment is over so that their tissues and organs can be examined, but it is not unusual for animals to be used in multiple experiments over many years. 

Take Action

Humane World for Animals has helped pass 45 national bans on cosmetic animal testing and is working to replace poisoning tests with modern alternatives. Find out how you can help end research and testing on animals.

Related Petitions to Issue
Take Action

Tell the FDA: Make it clear that animal testing is not required!

Send a message to the US Food and Drug Administration urging them to ensure drug companies are encouraged to use non-animal alternatives instead of animal tests whenever possible.

Your gift can do so much for animals in need.

Start saving lives by making a one-time gift today. Or help animals all year long with a monthly contribution.

Jean Chung/For Humane World for Animals