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Sacramento, Calif., January 29, 2026 – Today, AB 1382, the Ethics Over Aesthetics Act, authored by Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo (R-Corona) and sponsored by political animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), passed the Assembly Floor with an initial vote of 57-0. The bill will prohibit the sale of animals that have been genetically modified for cosmetic purposes. For more on the bill please see our fact sheet.
“With today’s overwhelming vote, the California Assembly made clear that animals are not products, trends, or social-media novelties,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation. “I am deeply grateful to the Assembly Members who stood united in affirming that science must be guided by ethics, not aesthetics."
"AB 1382 draws a firm and necessary line—protecting animals from experimental genetic manipulation done solely for profit, while preserving responsible research that genuinely benefits animal and human health. We now look forward to working with the California Senate to advance this critical safeguard for animals and ethical science and ensure it is signed into law.”
"Pet rabbits already face unnecessary neglect because all too often, people buy them on impulse, without knowing anything about their care," said Dr. Michelle Kelly, CEO, Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation. "Allowing "glow-in-the-dark" bunnies and other novelty, gene-altered animals to be sold in California would result in impulse purchases leading to even more suffering and abandonment."
“California’s animal shelters are overflowing with beautiful, adoptable animals ready for loving homes,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “We are immensely concerned about efforts involving the genetic engineering of pets to support commercial interests and/or fashion trends, as it is common for fashionable pets to land in our shelters once people lose interest. If you want a great pet, please visit your local shelter. You don't need a pet that glows. You need a shelter pet that will make YOU glow!”
Jennifer Lee, Executive Director of the San Diego House Rabbit Society, was aghast when she read the article regarding blue, green, or glowing rabbits, “As someone who runs a shelter that is devoted to the care of domestic rabbits, I’m deeply concerned about the rise of genetically modified animals for novelty. Not only could such modifications harm their health and well-being, but this trend also distracts from the pressing issue of overpopulation in shelters. Instead of creating new 'designer' pets, we should be focused on saving the lives of the countless rabbits already in need of care and homes."
The bill will now go to the Senate Rules Committee to be assigned to a policy committee(s).
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