A coalition of health, science, and animal protection groups is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revamp its nutrition research program by moving away from animal testing in favor of human-relevant scientific methods. In a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, 20 organizations, including the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the Center for Biological Diversity, acknowledged the USDA’s contributions to nutrition science but emphasized the need for alignment with federal initiatives promoting more predictive, human-specific research.
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The letter points out that the USDA's six Human Nutrition Research Centers (HNRCs) spend tens of millions of dollars annually on animal-based studies, despite the presence of effective nonanimal methods. The coalition advocates for the adoption of techniques such as organoids, tissue chips, computational modeling, and real-world human data to improve research outcomes.
Recent developments from other federal entities indicate a trend towards this goal. For instance, in April 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the creation of the Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application to further nonanimal research methods. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced its Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies.
Janine McCarthy, acting director of research policy for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, remarked, "Nutrition science should reflect human biology—not rely on animal experiments that fail to represent human diets or disease. By adopting human-relevant methods, the USDA can usher in a new era of nutrition research that enhances public health."
The letter calls for the USDA to develop a public roadmap for transitioning all USDA-funded nutrition research towards human-specific approaches, encouraging collaboration with other federal agencies and boosting transparency and investment in human-based research technologies. It argues that such a roadmap would align scientific and ethical standards and promote national goals for chronic disease prevention while reinforcing public trust in nutrition policy.
The letter has been endorsed by a diverse range of organizations, including the American Anti-Vivisection Society, Animal Interfaith Alliance, Black Veg Society, and many others. For inquiries or to access the letter, contact Reina Pohl at 202-527-7326 or [email protected].