The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, directed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, spent $424,455 in taxpayer funds on experiments to infest beagles with parasite-carrying flies, even though the procedure had already been extensively tested on other animals. White Coat Waste Project, the government watchdog group that obtained the documents, found that about half of Fauci’s $6 billion budget was used for animal experimentation, including the abusive dog experiment.
The funds were directed to the University of Georgia Research Foundation to conduct the experiment.
“According to documents that we just obtained using the Freedom of Information Act, Fauci just spent $424,000 to commission a study in which healthy beagles are given an experimental drug and then intentionally infested with flies that carry a disease-causing parasite that affects humans,” White Coat Waste Project wrote.
The documents further revealed that the experiments were not necessary because scientists had already performed similar tests on various other animals.
“Experimenters admit this investigational drug, ‘has been extensively tested and confirmed … in different animal models such as mice … Mongolian gerbils … and rhesus macaques,'” the group found.
Records obtained by the FOIA request show the dogs “vocalized pain” during the experiments.
The Daily Caller reported the NIAID task order showed “28 beagles were to be allowed to develop infections for three months before being euthanized for blood collection. The dog experiments are set to be completed by January 2022, however, the task order states that the beagles are to be euthanized 196 days after the start of the study. According to emails obtained by WCW, the study began on Nov. 12, 2020, meaning the beagles would have been scheduled to be euthanized in June 2021.”
Justin Goodman, vice president of White Coat Waste Project, said in a statement that Fauci needs to be held accountable for the taxpayer-funded abusive animal experimentation.
“It’s not just Wuhan,” Goodman said. “Fauci’s budget has ballooned to over $6 billion in taxpayer funding annually, at least half of which is being wasted on more questionable animal experimentation like these deadly and unnecessary beagle tests and other maximum pain experiments. Fauci needs to be held accountable for this staggering waste and abuse overseas and right here at home.”
The group has started a petition to increase government transparency for use of taxpayer funds for animal experimentation.
NIAID did not immediately respond to The Federalist’s request for comment.
