The Trump administration recently made headlines by cutting over $1 million in federal funding for controversial hormone therapy research on rats, amid allegations of ethical misuse and financial waste.
Quick Takes
- The Trump administration’s NIH cut over $1 million for “transgender animals” research.
- The study exposed rats to hormone therapy to assess overdose risk.
- White Coat Waste Project exposed taxpayer-funded animal testing misuse.
- Lawmakers applauded the cuts as steps towards reducing wasteful spending.
Funding Cut for Controversial Research
The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding emerged after the White Coat Waste Project revealed details about the studies being conducted. These studies, financed by the National Institute of Health, involved subjecting rats to hormone treatments to explore their propensity for overdose on a recreational party drug. Lawmakers, including Rep. Nancy Mace and Sen. Joni Ernst, were vocal in their criticism, citing the research as fiscally and scientifically unsound.
The White Coat Waste Project emphasized the project’s financial burden on taxpayers, stating it wasted funds for “transgender animals.” Through the Freedom of Information Act, the nonprofit group exposed the project’s report, which detailed the extreme procedures conducted on these animals. The revelation prompted a call to action, resulting in the administration’s financial cut.
"The grants were uncovered by the White Coat Waste Project, an organization that is fighting to stop wasting tax money on unnecessary painful animal testing"
📰Bureaucrats Defy Trump’s Cuts: Nearly 40 Transgender Animal Experiments, $400M in Tax Dollars, Still Active
by… pic.twitter.com/ibtxhNYjAp
— White Coat Waste Project (@WhiteCoatWaste) March 15, 2025
Legislators’ Reactions and Ethical Debates
Rep. Nancy Mace condemned the experiment, stating, “We spent over $1 million to find out if female rats receiving testosterone therapy were more likely to overdose on a date rape drug.” In an era seeking fiscal responsibility, the experiments garnered criticism for both ethical and financial reasons. Both lawmakers tied these examinations to a larger issue of governmental inefficiency in handling taxpayer money.
The research’s intent was to study GHB toxicokinetics, focusing on hormone therapy’s role in overdose risk. The controversial nature of these experiments triggered debates about the ethical treatment of animals in scientific research. It has pressed entities like the National Institute of Health to rethink funding priorities, envisioning a future where science advances without compromising ethical values.
WCW prez:
“This is a great victory for taxpayers and animals. Despite the mainstream media’s shameful misinformation campaign, transgender animal experiments are real—and really wasteful"
📰 Trump Continues Making America Great for Animals — Cuts More NIH Grants Funding… pic.twitter.com/jRQQ9XqbQw
— White Coat Waste Project (@WhiteCoatWaste) March 19, 2025
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The move to cut these funds is in line with broader efforts by the Trump administration to curb federal overspending. The Department of Government Efficiency, newly founded during this tenure, played a prominent role in eliminating what they deemed as wasteful, taxpayer-wasting projects. The strategic cancellation aims to foster more pragmatic and ethically sound scientific endeavors.
Looking forward, there is an emphasis on redirecting financial resources towards more pressing and beneficial research opportunities. It draws attention to the responsibility of government units to place financial prudence at the forefront of scientific pursuits, aligning national interests with ethical research principles.
