Physicians Committee @PCRM

Big news for the future of medical research: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded 10 grants totaling $88 million to help institutions build and modernize facilities dedicated to human-based research. This investment advances a recommendation the Physicians Committee made to the NIH nearly one year ago. In a September 2025 public comment, our experts urged the NIH Council of Councils to support construction grants for human-based, nonanimal research infrastructure. In March 2026, the NIH announced a grant opportunity to do just that, and now the funding is here. “We are at a unique moment in biomedical research, with new tools and technologies giving us an unprecedented opportunity to advance research methodologies that more closely reflect human biology,” said Nicole Kleinstreuer, PhD, NIH deputy director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. “But realizing that opportunity requires a strong foundation and a research enterprise with the capacity to innovate across the country. These new awards will help build that foundation by expanding access to resources, expertise, and infrastructure, ensuring that scientists with transformative ideas will advance the next generation of biomedical research.” Awardees across nine states include investigators at Southern Research Institute, University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center, and University of Louisville. The funding will expand access to nonanimal research technologies and support collaborative clinical research, including in underserved, rural communities. The Physicians Committee will keep pushing the NIH and other federal agencies to expand funding, training, and infrastructure for human-based research. The future of medical research is animal-free.

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@nytimes yesterday reported on Marshall BioResources (the nation's largest breeder of dogs for experimentation) and the growing movement to end the use of dogs and cats in laboratories. We're grateful the Times is bringing national attention to a problem the Physicians Committee Is working hard to solve. The news story mentions the fact that Marshall has more than 15,000 dogs on site at any time and discusses a new bipartisan bill from Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) that would prohibit federal funding for research involving live dogs and cats. Last week, Physicians Committee staff spoke alongside those legislators when they introduced the COMPACT Act. Marshall’s biggest customers are from the pharmaceutical industry. But more than 90% of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human trials, and dog studies do not reliably predict human safety. Human-relevant approaches are giving scientists more patient-relevant data, and federal agencies are increasingly encouraging those modern methods. That’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week announced a big update to its drug testing regulations pushed for by the Physicians Committee. We also recently joined a coalition calling on the local prosecutor to investigate whistleblower allegations of cruelty at Marshall's facility. You can help us demand an investigation. Ask the Wayne County District Attorney to investigate Marshall Farms for animal cruelty: PCRM.org/Marshall nytimes.com/2026/09/29/nyr…

🍂 October Food for Life classes are here! Explore how plant-based nutrition can support heart health, brain health, cancer risk reduction, diabetes management, and more. 🌱 Find an in-person or online class near you: pcrm.org/good-nutrition…

Best of luck, Torre! 💪🌱

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Dogs and cats belong in homes, not laboratories. The new COMPACT Act from @RepLangworthy and @RepMarkPocan would end HHS funding for experiments on dogs and cats and advance human-based research. Ask your representative to support the bill: act.pcrm.org/IwDRgvCe7km3gY…

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DC voters, you have a chance to make history this November. Initiative 86 would ban the sale of foie gras in the District. It is a public health issue and an animal welfare issue. Vote yes. pcrm.org/Yes86

Tomorrow! 💗 Join @DrNealBarnard and @drkristifunk for the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Give-a-Thon, LIVE at 8 p.m. ET. Together, we can reach more people with potentially lifesaving information about lowering breast cancer risk. youtube.com/watch?v=1UPl3l…

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Only 28% know that diet can lower that risk. Join me and Dr. Kristi Funk live on YouTube for the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Give-a-Thon and help us reach more women with this potentially lifesaving information. Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. PCRM.org/events/give-a-…

Learn how plant-based foods can lower your cancer risk—and taste amazing too. 🌱💪 Sign up for a Food for Life class near you: pcrm.org/letsbeatbreast…

The Physicians Committee mourns the passing of artist and longtime supporter Peter Max, who died at age 88. His vibrant art reflected a deep belief in possibility, peace, and a brighter future, and his generosity carried that vision into action. A dedicated supporter for more than 25 years, Peter hosted fundraising events for us in his iconic New York City studio and took part in every one of our gala celebrations. He even designed a poster to commemorate our 25th anniversary. Thank you, Peter, for being a passionate advocate for a kinder world—one in which people, animals, and the planet are treated with compassion and respect. You will be deeply missed.

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Peter Max was troubled by the world as it was and pictured it as it should be, with kindness for people, animals, and the planet we share. He was a great supporter of @PCRM and a great friend.

The New York Times @nytimes

2 weeks ago

Breaking News: Peter Max, whose trippy Day-Glo artwork expressed the blissed-out exuberance of the countercultural 1960s, has died at 88. nyti.ms/4xU79FO

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🌎 Food tells a story. For Hispanic Heritage Month, seven of our Food for Life instructors from across Latin America are sharing the foods, histories, and traditions that have shaped their cultures for generations. Explore their stories: PCRM.org/HHM

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. ET, join Dr. Neal Barnard and renowned breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk live for our Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Give-a-Thon. Already know you’ll be there? Head to YouTube now and click “Notify me” to get a reminder when we go live. Here’s a link to do so: youtube.com/live/1UPl3lp3c… Together, we can beat breast cancer 💖

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The Physicians Committee is hosting two inspiring evenings in California this October. Oct. 10 near San Francisco at Moose Mountain Vineyard in San Martin. Oct. 11 near Los Angeles in Encino. Join us for great food, meaningful community, and updates on our work. PCRM.org/events/impact

💗 Join us LIVE Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET for the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Give-A-Thon! Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Kristi Funk, & special guests will share evidence-based steps that can help lower breast cancer risk. Tune in: pcrm.org/events/give-a-… #LetsBeatBreastCancer

I would love to see you in California for two evenings this October: Oct. 10 in San Martin and Oct. 11 in Encino. Enjoy plant-based food, meaningful community, and work worth celebrating. pcrm.org/events/impact

The future of science doesn't have to rely on animal testing. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) use human-relevant technologies to study disease and evaluate drug safety, helping build research that is more predictive, more efficient, and free from harming animals. Watch biomedical scientist Dr. Jon McCord explain why NAMs are shaping the future of medicine. Learn more: pcrm.org/ethical-scienc…

Big progress at the EPA: The agency has adopted two new approaches that will reduce animal testing in chemical and pesticide safety reviews. These methods can assess certain inhalation and oral toxicity risks without conducting new tests on animals—making progress toward the agency’s commitment to end mammalian testing by 2035. Learn more: pcrm.org/news/news-rele…

🌱 Ready to build healthier habits? September Food for Life classes cover heart health, diabetes, cancer prevention, kids’ nutrition, and more, with in-person and online options available. Find a class: pcrm.org/good-nutrition…

We filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A secret panel, assembled without public oversight, with eight of nine members tied to the meat, dairy, or low-carb diet industries, replaced two years of independent science with Guidelines that emphasize fat, meat, and dairy. These Guidelines control what children eat in schools. They shape federal nutrition programs. They influence what millions of Americans believe is healthy. Federal law requires this process to be transparent and balanced. It was neither. We are asking the court to withdraw the Guidelines and start again.