VA secretary pushes for continued medical research on dogs to help disabled veterans
October 10, 2017
The controversial subject of animal research has been thrust into the spotlight due to a spending bill passed by the House with the potential to ban the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from conducting medical experiments on dogs. The VA is defending the practice as a key part of the agency’s pursuit of medical innovation to help veterans.
VA Secretary David Shulkin sought the removal of language from a bill that would prevent the agency from using canines for medical testing. In a USA Today op-ed, Shulkin wrote that the Senate’s passage of the legislation would take away the possibility of medical breakthroughs “that offer seriously disabled veterans the hope of a better future.”
The majority of the VA’s research uses mice or rats. However, Shulkin claimed dogs are necessary for certain medical tests as their hearts and other physiological aspects bear more similarities with those of humans.
Lawmakers who have supported the House bill argued that the VA could use computer simulations rather than dogs for research. Shulkin countered that while technology was useful, an in-depth knowledge of physiology and biology was required before precise digital models could be developed.
Veterans organizations like the Paralyzed Veterans of America and American Legion have also voiced their opposition to the House bill’s language banning medical experiments on dogs. “The Senate should take a stand and preserve humane and carefully supervised canine research at VA,” Shulkin wrote in the op-ed.