USDA- United States Department of Agriculture

State and local laws

April 7, 2019

Yazmin Frias
3xxx phoenix Dr.
Fort Worth TX

Dear head of the department of agriculture,

I’d like to take my time and address some issues that I believe are very important to thousands
of people, and more so to those here in the state of Texas. As an aspiring biomedical student,
I’ve studied and research the ethical problems that many medical base companies are charged
with through the people in the states. However, I want it to be understood, and explained that
the animal research is not an option but a necessity for medical innovation. With that said, I
want to play a part into not only educating the people in the state of Texas about the animal
testing and research within the states, but I also want to bring up a point that will help better
address the unethical issues that go by unnoticed in the facilities.

In the past three decades, we’ve seen a decrease in animal testing with animals protected
under the Animal Welfare act. However, over 90% of the testing done on animals, is on rodents,
birds, and fish. All of whom are not protected under the welfare act, and whom undergo
“inhumane” procedures. I want it to be clear that I support animal research and testing within
the medical field. But I also want to be clear that no animal should have to go through such
extreme procedures without being taken care off.

A second point that I want to bring up is that every single facility that relies on animal testing
and research has to be accountable for the number of animals being treated, and how they are
treated. There are many facilities such as The University of Texas A&M that refuses to release
information regarding the number of animals being used in the labs, as well as the treatments
that those animals go through because of laws such as confidentiality of veterinary patient
records.

Finally, my purpose is to address the ongoing issue of the number of animals that are being
treated in numerous laboratories without proper care, as well as to more closely regulate
facilities that fail to comply with the regulations in the state of Texas.

Sincerely,

Yazmin Frias