H.R.297 - Higher Education Loses Payments for Painful Experiments, Tests and Studies Act; HELP PETS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.297, also known as the HELP PETS Act, aims to prohibit federal funding to institutions of higher education that conduct or fund painful biomedical research on dogs and cats. The bill defines 'painful research' as any research classified in pain category D or E by the Department of Agriculture. It includes exceptions for clinical veterinary research, physical exams, training programs, or studies relating to service animals or military animals.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the HELP PETS Act would restrict federal funding for specific types of animal research at universities. This could lead to a reduction in certain types of biomedical research involving dogs and cats at higher education institutions. The bill aims to promote more humane research practices.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in animal suffering in biomedical research.
- Increased focus on alternative research methods.
- Alignment with ethical concerns regarding animal welfare.
- Encourages funding towards clinical veterinary research that directly benefits animals.
- May improve public perception of federally funded research.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential hindrance to biomedical research progress.
- Possible limitations on understanding certain diseases that affect both animals and humans.
- Increased costs for research institutions to find alternative funding sources.
- May lead to a decrease in the number of research opportunities at universities.
- Could impact the development of new treatments and therapies.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote ethical treatment of animals. However, the Constitution does not explicitly address animal research. The power of Congress to allocate federal funds is derived from Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes to provide for the general welfare of the United States. The bill's restrictions on funding could be seen as an exercise of this power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).