White Coat Waste Project reveals $10M spent on controversial animal transgender experiments

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform convened on February 6, 2025, to address concerns regarding the use of taxpayer funds for controversial animal experiments, particularly those involving transgender lab animals. The meeting was prompted by revelations from the White Coat Waste Project, which disclosed that over $10 million had been allocated for experiments on transgender mice, rats, and monkeys.

The committee discussed specific instances of funding, including a staggering $2.5 million spent on studying the fertility of transgender mice. Additionally, $1.1 million was reportedly used to investigate whether female rats undergoing testosterone therapy were more likely to overdose on GHB, a drug associated with recreational use in the LGBTQ community. The experiments raised ethical questions about the treatment of lab animals, as they involved invasive surgeries and hormone therapies.

Further scrutiny was directed at experiments involving male monkeys, which were subjected to hormone treatments to assess their susceptibility to HIV. Notably, it was highlighted that monkeys cannot contract HIV, raising concerns about the scientific validity and ethical implications of such studies.

The committee members expressed frustration over the federal government's continued investment in what they termed "inhumane animal experiments," despite the existence of advanced technological alternatives that could provide more relevant data for human health. They pointed out that a significant percentage of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human trials, questioning the efficacy of these experiments.

The discussion underscored a broader debate about the appropriateness of using taxpayer dollars for animal testing, particularly in light of evolving scientific methodologies that could replace traditional practices. The committee concluded with a call for a reevaluation of funding priorities and a push for the adoption of innovative research methods that do not involve animal cruelty.