Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences Act of 2022 [sic] or the HEARTS Act of 2022 [sic]
This bill establishes a center within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and requires other activities to promote alternatives to using animals in research and testing.
The duties of the center include developing nonanimal research models (e.g., advanced cell cultures and advanced imaging systems) and training scientists about the methods.
Additionally, if a federal department or agency or federally funded research entity uses animals for research and testing, it must develop and update plans for reducing such uses and periodically report on the number and types of animals that they use to the center. The center must establish a standard process for entities to submit and update their plans and reports and for making the plans and reports publicly available.
The NIH must also provide incentives for the use of nonanimal research and generally ensure that nonanimal alternatives are considered when reviewing and approving research applications and proposals. Further, NIH applications for research grants must include an assurance that nonanimal methods for carrying out the research are unavailable.