The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shut down its last in-house beagle laboratory following extensive criticism and allegations of animal cruelty. The laboratory had been accused of subjecting over 2,000 beagles to harmful experiments, leading to calls from animal rights groups and the public for its closure. The decision was welcomed by animal welfare organizations, including PETA, which praised the move as a step towards modernizing science and ending unnecessary animal suffering. The closure follows a broader trend initiated by the Trump administration to reduce animal testing, including changes in FDA and EPA policies. Envigo, the company that bred the beagles for research, faced legal action and heavy fines for neglecting the animals, further highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding animal experimentation.

NIH director Jay Bhattacharya announced the closure of the NIH's last in-house beagle lab, a decision prompted by allegations of severe animal cruelty, including experiments that exposed beagles to pneumonia-causing bacteria and septic shock.

The White Coat Waste project revealed that the lab's experiments involved pumping harmful bacteria into beagles' lungs and bleeding them out, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for the lab's shutdown.

Animal welfare organizations, notably PETA, have been instrumental in campaigning against such experiments, with PETA expressing delight at the closure and highlighting ongoing efforts to end sepsis experiments on animals.

The Trump administration had already initiated a phase-out of animal testing requirements for drugs and therapies, aligning with the EPA's reinstatement of a policy to reduce animal testing, showcasing a shift towards ethical scientific practices.

Envigo, the breeder of the beagles used in the NIH experiments, pleaded guilty to neglect and faced substantial fines, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform in the treatment of research animals.

Following the lab's closure, animal welfare groups are actively working to ensure the rescued beagles are rehabilitated and rehomed, while also advocating for the cessation of similar practices across the country.

The move by the NIH is seen as part of a larger effort to restore public trust in scientific institutions by adopting more humane and ethical research methodologies.