U.S. Navy Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Animal Decompression Tests
The U.S. Navy is under increasing scrutiny from members of Congress and animal rights organizations, including PETA, for its continued funding and use of animals in decompression and oxygen toxicity experiments. Four members of Congress, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), and Dina Titus (D-NV-1), have written to the Navy expressing concern over a recent test that subjected 40 pigs to simulated deep dives, resulting in suffering and death for some. These lawmakers question the military branch's reliance on animal experiments, advocating for taxpayer funds to support both naval innovation and high standards of animal welfare. PETA has launched an extensive campaign, including advertisements and protests, to highlight the perceived cruelty and scientific ineffectiveness of these tests, urging the Navy to adopt human-relevant research methods.
