New $1.8 Mil Contract for Fauci’s Dog Experiments Sparks Major Concerns, Questions from Ernst

WASHINGTON – A new, exorbitant $1.8 million federal contract for dog experiments under Dr. Anthony Fauci is raising serious concerns and questions from U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) who noted that past federally-funded experiments on dogs under Dr. Fauci included cutting their vocal cords out, infesting the dogs with ticks, and placing dogs in cages with infectious sandflies.

After reports surfaced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) led by Dr. Fauci was awarded a new contract for a series of tests on dogs and other animals, Ernst is sending a letter to Dr. Fauci demanding information about the contract. The experiments on dogs under this new contract are claimed to be used to evaluate a trial drug developed by a private biotechnology company to treat hay fever. Dr. Fauci’s past experiments on dogs have drawn major bipartisan criticism.

In her letter, Ernst writes: “I understand that at least five different NIAID-funded tests on dogs, including puppies as young as six-months-old, are planned for this drug and will involve invasive, painful, and potentially deadly procedures.”

She goes on: “Previous reports have detailed NIAID-funded experiments in which dogs had their vocal cords cut out to prevent them from barking during drug tests, were infested with ticks, and were sedated and placed in cages with infectious sandflies in a lab in Tunisia.”

In light of the alarming past experiments conducted with NIAID funding under Dr. Fauci, Ernst is demanding information from Dr. Fauci on the following items related to this new contract:

1. Please list all dog tests proposed under the contract and include the following details:
1. Test name and description
2. Number of dogs scheduled to be used
3. USDA pain category
4. Cost to taxpayers
2. Will any funding be provided from private sources and what percentage of the funds for these experiences will be provided by NIAID?
3. Will any funding for these tests be provided to labs in China?
4. What would the cost be to taxpayers if a non-animal testing model was used?
5. The FDA has stated dog testing is not mandated for human drugs. Did NIAID consult with the FDA to specifically discuss whether dog testing was required? Did NIAID propose the use of any alternatives to dog or other animal testing?

To read Ernst’s full letter, click here.

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