Lawmakers balk at $241M in taxpayer funds for trans studies on animals
At least $241 million in taxpayer funds has been allocated for transgender surgeries and animal experiments, sparking controversy among lawmakers. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., has raised concerns about the rationale behind such expenditures, calling them “insane.” During a recent House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing titled “Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer Funded Animal Cruelty,” Justin Goodman of the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) revealed that millions of dollars have been spent on “transgender animal testing.”
Goodman explained that the federal government has funded studies involving animals such as mice, rats, and monkeys, which are subjected to surgical procedures and hormone therapies to simulate gender transitions. These experiments aim to observe the biological, psychological, and physiological effects of gender-affirming treatments. For example, a $1.1 million grant was used to administer testosterone to female lab rats to mimic transgender males and study their susceptibility to date rape drugs.
Moreover, Goodman highlighted the lack of transparency in these taxpayer-funded animal studies, making it difficult for the public to access information about them. He estimated that over $20 billion has been wasted on ineffective animal research. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), reportedly funded 95% of transgender animal experiments.
In 2024, a study by the White Coat Waste Project uncovered that $10 million was spent on creating transgender animals. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., criticized the Biden administration for allowing taxpayer dollars to fund experiments that involved surgically altering animal genitals. She questioned the necessity of spending over $1 million to investigate the effects of testosterone therapy on female rats’ likelihood of overdosing on date rape drugs.
Goodman emphasized that animal testing is not only inaccurate and expensive but also ineffective in predicting human health and environmental impacts of chemicals and pesticides. He also noted that the Biden administration reversed a plan initiated by the Trump administration to phase out animal testing.
The controversy surrounding taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries and animal experiments continues to raise questions about the ethical and scientific justifications for such expenditures. Lawmakers like Rep. Crane and Rep. Mace are calling for greater accountability and transparency in the allocation of public funds for research projects. It remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed moving forward.
