CARGO Act of 2025 Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas Act of 2025
The CARGO Act is expected to have profound implications on research funding and animal welfare standards. By restricting NIH support for overseas animal research, the bill addresses concerns raised about the mistreatment of animals in international research facilities—an issue due to the lack of effective oversight on how these animals are treated. The findings cited in the bill reveal that from fiscal year 2011 to 2021, NIH provided approximately $2.2 billion to foreign organizations for animal-related research, with little to no accountability for the animal welfare conditions at these facilities.
House Bill 1085, known as the Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas Act of 2025 (CARGO Act), aims to amend the Public Health Service Act by prohibiting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from providing funding support for any research programs that utilize live animals if the research is conducted outside the United States. This legislative initiative reflects growing concerns regarding animal welfare and ethical standards in research practices beyond U.S. borders. The bill highlights a significant shift in policy, aiming to ensure that only research conducted domestically, under presumably stricter oversight and regulations, receives federal funding.
Debate surrounding HB 1085 may focus on the balance between advancing scientific research and maintaining ethical standards in animal treatment. Proponents of the bill argue that it is crucial for protecting animal rights and ensuring public trust in federally funded scientific endeavors. However, critics could raise concerns about the potential hindrance this bill might create for researchers seeking to collaborate internationally or the effectiveness of domestic research compared to that conducted in other countries. Overall, this legislation represents a pivotal point in the intersection of public health, ethics, and research funding.