This month the Maryland General Assembly will be considering the Humane Adoption of Companion Animals Used in Research Act (SB 420, HB 528). This piece of legislation calls for research institutions in Maryland, including Hopkins and many others, to take reasonable steps in allowing for the adoption of research dogs and cats following their time spent as research animals.
The exact requirements of the bill for the research facilities include the establishment of a list of organizations that the research institution can work with to facilitate adoption and a yearly report that would detail the number of dogs and cats owned by the institution, the number of these animals used in research, the number of these animals released to rescue organizations and the name of the organization to which the animals were released.
The bill also stipulates that the research institution must take “reasonable” steps to find a “willing” and able rescue organization to take the dog or cat in. That being said, the bill does not include any restrictions on the actual research projects or the treatment of the animals while they are being used in the project.
This bill was first introduced to the legislature last spring and was met by fierce opposition from University lobbyists. A major argument from the opposition has been the slippery slope argument, or the belief that this bill would lead to further restrictions on biomedical research.
Additionally, while there are differences, the reporting required by the act is similar to what is already imposed by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act (1966). Others are concerned that the influx of dogs and cats will overburden state shelters or that the new law will disrupt established post-research adoption policies set up independently by some research institutions.
Proponents of the bill have addressed these concerns by emphasizing that the rescue organizations charged with taking in the research animals must be willing and able to do so and often function independently of state shelters.
Furthermore, the rescue organizations would provide training and treatment to transition the animals from research animals to pets. While some research facilities (including Hopkins) have stated that they already have post-research adoption policies, there is no way to ensure that all Maryland institutions are doing the same.
As a world leader in research, the University has a right to be proud of the many discoveries made at Hopkins since its establishment. The use of animals in biomedical research is not up for debate here.
Animal research plays an important role in the study of the immune system, organ transplants, diabetes and much more.
I am not calling for restrictions on biomedical research projects but simply for the opportunity to give dogs and cats a chance for adoption after their time as research animals is over. I am someone who sees great value in biomedical research as well as the importance for the humane treatment of animals.
After considering both sides of the debate, I found myself in support of the bill because I see it as an opportunity for researchers to uphold their responsibility to care for animals as humanely as possible.
Currently working with research animals myself, I can say that the researchers that work with these animals truly strive for the most humane treatment of the animals and genuinely care about their welfare.
It is well known that a large portion of Hopkins undergraduates take part in research, and many work directly with mice, primates, dogs, cats and other animals. Proponents of the bill reached out to the JHU Pre-Veterinary Club and JHU PAWS in an effort to increase awareness and support for the bill within the Hopkins community.
Committee hearings for the bill have been scheduled for Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, and several Hopkins students have already testified or plan to offer testimonies in support of the bill at these hearings. Animals ought to have an opportunity to find a good home after their tenure as research subjects, and Hopkins students can help to secure that future.
Celina Cisneros is a senior molecular and cellular biology major from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
