In 1979, the "Research Animal Alliance", a group of companies and individuals seeking to protect animal research, formed in Washington D.C.  Edward C. Melby, Jr. DVM, then Dean of Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine, became the first president and Frankie L. Trull was appointed the organization's executive director.  In the early 1980s, the RAA evolved to successfully influence emerging animal research legislation.  Following a name change to The Association for Biomedical Research (ABR) in 1981, the organization relocated to Washington D.C. to be better capable of responding to increasing congressional interest.  In 1985, the ABR merged with the National Society for Medical Research to became the National Association for Biomedical Research. 

 

The next decade proved busy for the Association with amendments to the Animal Welfare Act and an increase in animal activist campaigns against researchers.  Through it all , NABR made sure the scientific community was heard.  Legislators were furnished with facts and educated on the impact proposed changes would have on medical progress.  NABR also led the community's participation in the legislative process, and played a central role in assuring that new federal laws met animal welfare and research needs.  As a result, the regulations that emerged were less intrusice and costly than many of those originally proposed. 

 

Today, NABR continues to coordinate a stong effective alliance representing the research community.  Its influence in the courts and on Capitol Hill remains at an all-time high.