Michigan's lawmakers are being urged to approve a ban on painful dog experiments at taxpayer-funded institutions, with several high-profile Michiganders, including Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright and director Alison Eastwood, joining the push.
The legislation, known as Queenie's Law, would prohibit public bodies from conducting research or training on dogs "in a manner that causes pain or distress." The bill has already cleared one hurdle in the House, with the Regulatory Reform Committee voting overwhelmingly to advance it in late October.
Critics argue that Michigan taxpayers are helping bankroll cruel and invasive canine experiments at institutions such as Wayne State University, which have produced no meaningful results. The National Institutes of Health has spent around $15 million on these experiments since 1991, according to critics who point out that the work has yielded no usable results.
The proposed ban has gained momentum in recent months, with several high-profile endorsements from Wright and Eastwood, as well as other notable Michiganders such as Sam LaPorta and actors Lily Tomlin and Ernie Hudson. Supporters argue that cutting-edge human-relevant research means there is no reason to harm and kill dogs to improve public health.
However, opponents of the bill have warned that restrictions on animal studies could hinder biomedical research and harm Michigan's competitiveness, arguing that such restrictions could slow progress in treating serious diseases.
The science behind animal research is moving away from dog experiments, with institutions like the U.S. Navy and Congress banning painful experiments on dogs and cats. Supporters argue that alternatives such as clinical trials, population studies, 3D organoids, and research using donated human organs are already producing better results for patients.
For Wright and Eastwood, the issue is personal as much as it is political. If dogs are considered family in Michigan homes, they argue, then they shouldn't be treated as disposable tools in public labs. The bills are named after Queenie, a stray dog from Gratiot County that supporters say was subjected to months of heart failure experiments before being killed at Wayne State University.
The push for Queenie's Law has gained significant support, with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and an animal rescue group working together with Wright and Eastwood to promote the legislation. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, but supporters are optimistic that it will eventually become law.
The legislation, known as Queenie's Law, would prohibit public bodies from conducting research or training on dogs "in a manner that causes pain or distress." The bill has already cleared one hurdle in the House, with the Regulatory Reform Committee voting overwhelmingly to advance it in late October.
Critics argue that Michigan taxpayers are helping bankroll cruel and invasive canine experiments at institutions such as Wayne State University, which have produced no meaningful results. The National Institutes of Health has spent around $15 million on these experiments since 1991, according to critics who point out that the work has yielded no usable results.
The proposed ban has gained momentum in recent months, with several high-profile endorsements from Wright and Eastwood, as well as other notable Michiganders such as Sam LaPorta and actors Lily Tomlin and Ernie Hudson. Supporters argue that cutting-edge human-relevant research means there is no reason to harm and kill dogs to improve public health.
However, opponents of the bill have warned that restrictions on animal studies could hinder biomedical research and harm Michigan's competitiveness, arguing that such restrictions could slow progress in treating serious diseases.
The science behind animal research is moving away from dog experiments, with institutions like the U.S. Navy and Congress banning painful experiments on dogs and cats. Supporters argue that alternatives such as clinical trials, population studies, 3D organoids, and research using donated human organs are already producing better results for patients.
For Wright and Eastwood, the issue is personal as much as it is political. If dogs are considered family in Michigan homes, they argue, then they shouldn't be treated as disposable tools in public labs. The bills are named after Queenie, a stray dog from Gratiot County that supporters say was subjected to months of heart failure experiments before being killed at Wayne State University.
The push for Queenie's Law has gained significant support, with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and an animal rescue group working together with Wright and Eastwood to promote the legislation. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, but supporters are optimistic that it will eventually become law.
this is getting out of hand! Can't they just focus on finding better alternatives already? I mean I get where they're coming from with Queenie and all, but $15 million down the drain on pointless experiments... 
and what's with all these high-profile endorsements? It's just gonna make it more polarized. What about the actual benefits of this research? Can't we trust the experts to know what's best for our health? 
I mean, the science is moving away from dog tests anyway, so what's the point of pushing this through? And don't get me wrong, I love Brock Wright and Alison Eastwood too, but let's not forget that this law will likely just be a PR win for them. I'm just saying, can't we do better than name-checking some poor stray dog? 
It's all about the science, people! And by the way, has anyone seen the forum threads on this topic? They're so cluttered and hard to read... 
Can someone please make them more user-friendly?! 
! I mean, come on, painful dog experiments? That's just animal cruelty, plain and simple 
. There are plenty of alternative methods out there that don't involve harming innocent animals. Clinical trials, population studies, 3D organoids... these are all viable options that can still produce amazing results without putting dogs through unnecessary suffering.
. When we elect representatives, we expect them to make decisions that align with our values and priorities. If they're more concerned with funding painful experiments than with protecting the well-being of their constituents' pets, then they need to reevaluate their priorities.
. It's personal for them, just like it should be for all of us 
. Queenie's Law has my full support – let's make some noise and get this bill passed ASAP!
! Did you know that the US has already banned painful experiments on dogs in some states? Like, 26 states have laws protecting animals from unnecessary pain and distress, and the National Institutes of Health is actually shifting towards more humane methods 
. In fact, since 2008, the NIH has reduced animal use by 55% through alternative methods like human-relevant research and 3D organoids 
.
. Did you know that Wayne State University has spent over $15 million on dog experiments since 1991? That's like, a lot of money for not-so-meaningful research 
.
And it's so cool to see high-profile Michiganders supporting animal welfare. Here are some stats that'll blow your mind:
I gotta say, this Queenie's Law thing is getting a lot of traction, even if it's about time. I mean, come on, $15 million spent on dog experiments with no usable results? That's just wild 
. And yeah, it's personal for these Michiganders, especially Wright and Eastwood, who are all about those furry friends 
its not like we dont already have enough money wasted on stuff that doesnt work, imo 
. I mean, we have better things to spend our money on than causing pain and distress to innocent animals. And what's the point of it all? So far, none of this research has led to any major breakthroughs or usable results... just a bunch of failed experiments that hurt dogs 
. Even celebrities like Brock Wright and Alison Eastwood are speaking out against this stuff - they're not wrong for thinking we should treat animals with respect and kindness 
. And have you seen the alternatives to dog experimentation? Like, those 3D organoids and clinical trials are already giving us better results for patients... why do we need to torture dogs in labs when we can use more humane methods? 
Queenie's Law is like totally a no-brainer - who needs to torture poor dogs for science when we have all these other alternatives already 
Interesting how some high-profile people like Brock Wright and Alison Eastwood are using their platform to raise awareness about this important issue. It's not just about animal welfare, but also about the ethics of scientific research 
I think it's awesome that there are alternatives like 3D organoids and clinical trials being explored to improve human health 
like what's next gonna be hurting hamsters or something? 
I'm glad Brock Wright and Alison Eastwood are using their platforms to help animals tho, they're literally famous for a reason! 
But the thing is, if these experiments aren't working out why keep doing them? 
. And can you imagine if it was your fur baby in a lab? No thanks 
. It's not like these experiments are even helping us much anyway 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to protect those adorable furry faces from going through unnecessary pain and suffering? It's not like we're a cruel state or anything 