Summary of HR 1291: HEARTS Act of 2025

Overview

The HEARTS Act of 2025 (H.R. 1291) aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to prioritize nonanimal research methods in studies supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The bill seeks to establish a dedicated center for alternatives to animal research and testing, promoting humane and scientifically valid methods.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of the HEARTS Act is to:
- Reduce reliance on animal testing in biomedical research.
- Encourage the development and use of innovative nonanimal research methods.
- Enhance transparency and oversight regarding the use of animals in research.

Key Provisions

The HEARTS Act includes several significant provisions:

1. Prioritization of Nonanimal Methods:

   • The bill mandates that nonanimal methods be prioritized in research proposals where applicable and feasible.
   • Researchers must evaluate all scientifically satisfactory nonanimal methods before approving any animal research.

2. Establishment of the National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing:

   • This center will provide resources, funding, and training to promote the use of humane and effective nonanimal research methods.

3. Incentives for Nonanimal Research:

   • The NIH will establish a system of meaningful incentives to encourage researchers to adopt nonanimal methods.

4. Enhanced Review Process:

   • Research proposals must be reviewed by experts in nonanimal methods, ensuring thorough evaluations of alternatives.
   • Access to specialized librarians for comprehensive searches for nonanimal alternatives will be provided.

5. Guidelines for Research Proposals:

   • The bill requires the NIH to develop guidelines for conducting thorough searches for nonanimal alternatives in biomedical and behavioral research.

Impact

The HEARTS Act is expected to:
- Significantly reduce the number of animals used in research, which currently ranges between 17 million and 100 million annually in the U.S.
- Improve the efficacy of biomedical research by focusing on human-relevant models, potentially leading to better health outcomes.
- Address public concerns regarding animal welfare in research settings.

Procedural Aspects

• Introduced: February 13, 2025
• Current Status: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.

Sponsors

The bill is sponsored by:
- Ken Calvert (Primary Sponsor)
- Chris Pappas
- Donald G. Davis
- Hillary J. Scholten
- Nicole Malliotakis
- Daniel S. Goldman
- Josh Harder
- Jill N. Tokuda
- Josh Gottheimer
- Shri Thanedar
- James A. Himes

Conclusion

The HEARTS Act of 2025 represents a significant shift towards more humane and scientifically relevant research practices by emphasizing nonanimal methods. If enacted, it could lead to transformative changes in how biomedical research is conducted, ultimately benefiting both human health and animal welfare.