EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A national watchdog group is raising concerns about animal research at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso after learning that three animal-research protocols were terminated earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Stop Animal Exploitation Now!, or SAEN, said the case stood out because the protocols were shut down rather than temporarily suspended, which the group said raises questions about what happened inside the research program and whether additional action is needed.<\/p>\n
Michael Budkie, SAEN\u2019s executive director, said, \u201cThe violations were so serious that the research administration at Texas Tech thought the only choice was to permanently terminate them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordan Salas reports on Watchdog complaint raises questions about animal research at TTUHSC El Paso (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
SAEN said it filed a complaint with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso after obtaining university reports submitted to a federal animal research oversight office stating that three animal research protocols were terminated. Protocols are approved plans that outline what researchers can do when using animals in a study.<\/p>\n
The complaint and attached reports can be viewed below:<\/p>\n
The reports cited expired drugs and surgical materials used in animal experiments, along with unapproved procedures and inconsistent record keeping. SAEN said the issues date back to late 2025 and early 2026. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of the most extreme cases of noncompliance that I have ever read about,\u201d Budkie said.<\/p>\n
Budkie said SAEN is calling for staff connected to the projects to be disciplined or barred from animal research, and for the university to review whether any published research connected to the projects should be investigated.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, they may have had approved protocols, but they were not complied with, they were not followed, and therefore any publication which said this research was performed in compliance would be false and that would constitute research misconduct,\u201d Budkie said.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso did not answer questions about what action was taken, whether anyone was disciplined or restricted, or whether those involved can still conduct animal research. <\/p>\n
In a statement, the university said:<\/p>\n
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, research integrity, and regulatory compliance. We adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as our institutional policies governing research. Because this matter involves institutional processes, we are not able to comment further at this time.<\/p>\n
Budkie said SAEN believes terminating the protocols was the right first step, but the group still wants a research misconduct review and additional action against those involved. \u201cOur next step after this is, if Texas Tech does not respond and take appropriate actions, we\u2019ll start filing federal complaints,\u201d Budkie said.<\/p>\n
Budkie said those complaints could ask federal officials to look into whether research misconduct occurred and whether anyone should face federal research restrictions. <\/p>\n
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