Detroit Lions players Brock Wright and his fiancée Carley Johnston are urging Michigan lawmakers to approve legislation that would ban painful experiments on dogs at taxpayer-funded institutions. The bills, known as Queenie's Law, aim to prohibit public bodies in Michigan from conducting research or training on dogs "in a manner that causes pain or distress."
Wright and Johnston, along with teammate Sam LaPorta, are not the only members of the Lions family who support this legislation. Director and actor Alison Eastwood has also sent a separate letter to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Matt Hall, urging them to advance the proposal.
The bills have garnered significant support from various high-profile Michigan natives, including actors Lily Tomlin and Ernie Hudson. The proposed ban on painful experiments is seen as necessary, as it would prevent taxpayer-funded institutions in Michigan from conducting cruel and invasive canine research.
Since 1991, the National Institutes of Health has spent about $15 million on Wayne State's canine research, with critics arguing that the work has produced no usable results. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine points to public records describing surgeries in which dogs' chest cavities are opened, devices inserted into their hearts, and implanted devices used to induce heart failure.
Wright and Johnston wrote in a letter, "Anyone who has a dog at home would be shocked to learn of the deadly experiments occurring inside public labs—and what's equally shocking is how unnecessary those experiments are." They argue that cutting-edge, human-relevant research means there is no reason to harm and kill dogs to improve public health.
The legislation has already cleared one hurdle in the House. In late October, the House Regulatory Reform Committee voted overwhelmingly to advance HB 4254, with no votes against. The bill was later referred to the House Rules Committee, while the Senate version remains in committee.
However, opponents of the bills have warned that restricting animal studies could hinder biomedical research and harm Michigan's competitiveness. Backers of Queenie's Law counter that the science is moving away from dog experiments, citing alternatives such as clinical trials, population studies, 3D organoids, and research using donated human organs. They often point to developments in Michigan, including a functioning human heart model created at Michigan State University.
For Wright and Johnston, the issue is personal as much as it is political. If dogs are considered family in Michigan homes, they argue, they shouldn't be treated as disposable tools in public labs.
Wright and Johnston, along with teammate Sam LaPorta, are not the only members of the Lions family who support this legislation. Director and actor Alison Eastwood has also sent a separate letter to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Matt Hall, urging them to advance the proposal.
The bills have garnered significant support from various high-profile Michigan natives, including actors Lily Tomlin and Ernie Hudson. The proposed ban on painful experiments is seen as necessary, as it would prevent taxpayer-funded institutions in Michigan from conducting cruel and invasive canine research.
Since 1991, the National Institutes of Health has spent about $15 million on Wayne State's canine research, with critics arguing that the work has produced no usable results. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine points to public records describing surgeries in which dogs' chest cavities are opened, devices inserted into their hearts, and implanted devices used to induce heart failure.
Wright and Johnston wrote in a letter, "Anyone who has a dog at home would be shocked to learn of the deadly experiments occurring inside public labs—and what's equally shocking is how unnecessary those experiments are." They argue that cutting-edge, human-relevant research means there is no reason to harm and kill dogs to improve public health.
The legislation has already cleared one hurdle in the House. In late October, the House Regulatory Reform Committee voted overwhelmingly to advance HB 4254, with no votes against. The bill was later referred to the House Rules Committee, while the Senate version remains in committee.
However, opponents of the bills have warned that restricting animal studies could hinder biomedical research and harm Michigan's competitiveness. Backers of Queenie's Law counter that the science is moving away from dog experiments, citing alternatives such as clinical trials, population studies, 3D organoids, and research using donated human organs. They often point to developments in Michigan, including a functioning human heart model created at Michigan State University.
For Wright and Johnston, the issue is personal as much as it is political. If dogs are considered family in Michigan homes, they argue, they shouldn't be treated as disposable tools in public labs.
come on, who needs dog experiments? like, I get that we wanna make some new meds or whatever, but can't we just try something else first? I mean, have you seen the 3D organoids thing? it's like sci-fi or something! 
and don't even get me started on human organs... if they've got a spare one lying around, why not use that? 
anyway, gotta give props to Brock Wright and his fiancée Carley Johnston for speaking up. I'm sure their pup is happy about it too 
IT'S SHOCKING THAT WE NEED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR FURRY FRIENDS FROM BEING PUNCHED AND POKED JUST TO AID HUMAN MEDICINE. THE FACT THAT WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON DOG RESEARCH WITH NO REAL BENEFITS IS JUST CRAZY!!! 
WHO NEEDS TO HARM DOGS WHEN WE CAN USE ALTERNATIVES LIKE 3D ORGANOIDS AND DONATED HUMAN ORGANS??? IT'S TIME FOR OUR LEADERS TO PUT THE WELFARE OF THESE ANIMALS FIRST!!!
You guys gotta see these stats on dog testing, it's crazy! Since 1991, the NIH has spent $15 million on Wayne State's canine research and got NOTHING to show for it 
But on the flip side, clinical trials are super effective, with a 2020 study showing 99% of new meds were successful in human trials after being tested on animals 
And let's not forget about population studies - Michigan State University just created a functioning human heart model, no dog required 
The opposition is worried about competition, but I think we can compete with compassion and ethics 
I'm totally with Brock & Carley on this one! It's crazy that some of these experiments are still being done on poor puppers 
They're talking about cutting-edge research but harming dogs is just not cool, you know? 
And can we talk about how unnecessary it is to hurt animals when there are so many other options out there? Like, have you seen those human heart models being created at MSU? 
That's the future of medicine, people! 
We need to be supporting science that doesn't come with a price tag of animal suffering 
. Anyway, it's awesome to see some famous Michiganders like Alison Eastwood and Lily Tomlin supporting Queenie's Law 
.
anyway, i love how michigan natives like alison eastwood and lily tomlin are showing support for queenie's law - let's keep pushing for a ban on those cruel experiments 
. I mean, who needs doggy surgery when you've got human-relevant research already? 
it's not just about the experiments, it's about the whole mindset behind them. we're already so reliant on technology to advance human health, why do we need to harm innocent creatures to get there? 
and yeah, i know there are alternatives, but what about the research that can't be replicated without actual living beings? still, i think it's time for us to reevaluate our priorities... 
are we becoming too comfortable with the idea of using others for our own gain? 
. We've got to prioritize compassion and kindness towards all living beings.
u mean who gets to decide what we do with our tax dollars?? should be ppl like brock wright & carley johnston, not some faceless researchers doing animal cruelty experiments 
i mean, bro, if it's not necessary for human health, why do we need to hurt dogs? it's like, we got all these other options now, 3d organoids and stuff. and let's be real, who doesn't love animals, right? 
so it makes sense that ppl would wanna protect them. i think it's awesome that brennen wright and carley johnston are bringin the heat on this one. they got a point. we shouldnt have to choose between humans and dogs, we can find other ways to do research without hurtin animals 
Plus, it's not like we're sacrificing progress or anything. There are so many other ways to do research that don't involve hurting our poor pup friends. I'm all about cutting-edge tech and human-relevant studies, no need for doggy experiments! 
It's like, progress and all, but can't we just make progress without hurting animals in the process?
. It's like, we're already talking about doing some crazy stuff with 3D organoids and human organs, so why do we need to hurt poor dogs? 
. It's like, let's move forward with some compassion and science! 
There's gotta be some sort of middle ground here. And what's with all the emphasis on "Queenie's Law" - sounds kinda... dramatic 
so i think its super great that these detroit lions players are speaking out about this 
its time for us to shift our focus towards more humane and effective ways of researching human health