The Humane Seal of Approval is PCRM's newest program to promote higher medical research standards at America's charities. In the fall, PCRM joined forces with other health care professionals and organizations to form the Council on Humane Giving. The Council will license the Humane Seal of Approval only to those charities that follow the strictest possible standards in research and to organizations that provide services or conduct state-of-the-art, human-based studies. The only animal research permitted will be naturalistic studies, in which animals are observed without interference in their natural setting, experimental treatments in animals who need them due to clinical illness and who are not bred for research purposes, or studies of immortal cell lines involving no new animal donors.

Leading physicians and researchers agree that animal experimentation wastes billions of dollars, provides inaccurate data, and hinders vital research that could be saving human lives. This important coalition will help redirect funds toward organizations such as Easter Seals, which provides enormously helpful services geared toward preventing birth defects, rehabilitation through physical therapy, teaching skills for independent living, and studies on recovery from disability.

Member charities may proudly display the Seal on their organizational literature, promotional materials, videos, and Web sites to help raise awareness and foster change. The Humane Seal of Approval will allow conscientious donors to easily identify cruelty-free charities before pulling out their checkbooks. So before you respond to another solicitation, make sure to ask where your money will go.

PCRM will be building participation in the program throughout 2001. Please let your local and national charities know that you support only nonanimal research. If your favorite charity has not yet signed up, have them contact PCRM at 202-686-2210 for more information.