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At the Department of Veterans Affairs, part of our mission is to push the envelope constantly in search of medical advancements that will help improve the lives of disabled veterans.
But our ability to accomplish that part of our mission stands at risk as a result of legislation recently added to an unrelated spending bill passed by the House of Representatives that would eliminate a key component of VA’s research efforts: our canine research program. If this legislation passes the Senate, it would stop potential VA canine research-related medical advancements that offer seriously disabled veterans the hope of a better future.
Canine research works because of the distinct physical and biological characteristics humans and dogs share that other species do not. For example, the electrical properties of the dog heart are very similar to those of the human heart — and unlike those of rats or mice. This, together with dogs being similar in size to humans, is what made it possible for VA researchers to develop the implantable cardiac pacemaker, which millions of people today depend on.
More recently, VA canine research has resulted in the first FDA approval of an artificial pancreas — a significant breakthrough that will make real differences in veterans’ lives. Outside VA, canine research was also key to discovering insulin, spurring new treatments for various types of cancer, and developing many life-saving cardiovascular surgical procedures.
VA’s canine research program represents a great example of why the department exists, as one of our current canine research studies illustrates. The study focuses on ways to prevent serious and potentially fatal lung infections that affect some veterans with spinal cord injuries because they are unable to cough effectively.
The commercial demand for this type of study is almost non-existent. The patient population affected by this condition is simply too small to motivate private companies to pursue such research on their own. That’s why VA and its canine research efforts — efforts that in many cases are not replicated in the private sector — are so important. Shutting down VA’s animal research programs would deny some of our most vulnerable veterans hope for new and potentially life-changing treatments.
It’s important to note that VA’s animal research programs are some the safest and most humane in the world. Not only does the department meet the ethical and legal requirements for animal research, we exceed them.
Reducing unnecessary animal research is a noble goal. But an even nobler one is helping veterans and other Americans who are waiting for medical research — including some studies involving dogs and other animals — to find cures and better treatments to pressing health problems that once again can only be discovered through canine research.
While new technology, such as sophisticated computer models, has replaced animal research in some limited cases, we can’t build accurate computer models until we have a thorough understanding of the actual biology and physiology in the first place. Much of this understanding is still only available through canine research since dog physiology in many cases resembles human physiology with respect to some medical conditions.
Science and research are more critical than ever in providing breakthroughs for many unique conditions affecting our veterans. America needs VA’s innovative research programs, and veterans and their families have earned them. We owe it to these patriots to do all we can to develop medical advancements that could help restore some of what they have sacrificed in service to our nation.
The Senate should take a stand and preserve humane and carefully supervised canine research at VA.
Dr. David Shulkin is the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.