On Nov. 13, the House of Representatives passed the Inhofe-Feinstein Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (S.3880), which significantly prohibits animal rights extremists' violent tactics and protects scientists, medical researchers, and farmers. The Senate unanimously passed the bill on Sept 30, which means that it has been sent to the President's desk where it is expected to be signed into law.
BIO has been a strong supporter of both the House and Senate versions of the bill, submitting written testimony to the House Judiciary Committee and sending a letter to all members of the House on the eve of the bill's consideration urging unanimous consent.
Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, said, "The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and its members applaud Congress for taking important steps to protect researchers and scientists from terror tactics employed by animal rights extremists. Biotechnology has great promise to transform the world - and until the enactment of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, that promise was increasingly threatened by animal rights extremists.
'Activists' campaigns against biotechnology companies are strategic, specific, unrelenting, and directed toward delivering economic, and sometimes physical, damage to companies engaged in innovation for life-threatening diseases. The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act finally gives prosecutors and law enforcement officials the tools they need to counter the increasingly violent tactics of animal terrorists. Our industry has zero tolerance for animal rights extremists - whose true victims are the millions of men, women, and children who are being denied new cures and treatments to their illnesses."
"The biotech industry is committed to the responsible use and care of animals in biomedical research. In February 2005, BIO adopted a Statement of Ethical Principles for the Care and Use of Animals in Biotechnology Research, which reflects industry's commitment to proper stewardship of animals for all applications for animals - from biomedical research for pharmaceutical development to agricultural research to improve animal health and food production."
"The enactment of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act will demonstrate that the ability to conduct humane and responsible animal-based research must be preserved to help conquer disease, alleviate suffering, and improve the quality of life. Ethical animal research has played a vital role in virtually every major medical advance of the last century - for both human and animal health. This research in invaluable in the development of life-preserving treatments for people, as well as cats, dogs, farm animals, wildlife, and endangered species." |
