The Pros And Cons Of Animal Testing

It is not often that one sees the gruesome ways of animal experimentation in person. In short, it is the use of non-human animals in labs to find variables that affect the behavior of the human biological system (Google). Many people-like the PETA organization or the Humane Society-oppose these practices, but even this opposition is not enough to stop testing from happening for things such as cosmetics testing, chimpanzee experimentation, and genetically engineered farm animals. Although some of the testing produces positive results-such as a drug working-it is at the expense of millions of tortured animals; therefore, a simple solution would be to prohibit the use of animals in research.

For many years, the field of science has used animals in medical experiments worldwide, because of this innocent animals are being killed everyday. They are being tested with new drugs, new treatments, and by many makeup companies. Connecticut recently celebrated the passage of the “Beagle Freedom Law”, a law that requires laboratories to work with charities and rescue groups to find homes for research cats and dogs. Animals are being tested so humans do not have to be but animal tests do not reliably predict results in human beings, although animals are the closest thing to humans. Most experiments involving animals are flawed, wasting the lives of innocent animal subjects. Over 100 million animals suffer a year from testing. Testing animals is a lot more expensive than alternative methods and it is wasting government research dollars. Animal testing is not only a bad idea, but it is also inhuman and it should not be tolerated. The FDA should stop allowing animal testing. An animal does not give out the same results on a test than a human would.

Animal testing is first and for most pointless and a waste of time and money. After the passing of an animal trial, there must always be human trials as well. Since animal testing is unreliable, the real testing still solely relies on the human tests. This demonstrates that this method is unnecessary. Greek and Greek argue that “those who say we test on animals to avoid testing on people are wrong. Once animal studies are complete, all new medications are evaluated on humans. The first people to take a new substance are being experimented on as surely as if they were guinea pigs locked in a laboratory” (59). In addition to that, the 21st century has brought many new advances in technology and science and because we have these new advances, animal testing now is completely unnecessary. Bif Naked states, “It doesn't just make sense for animals, but for people, too, because state-of-the-art non-animal tests offer a far more reliable way to predict how consumers like you or me will react to a product in the real world.” While many of these method have not been explored fully, they are still extremely promising, less harmful, cheaper, and produce more accurate results. Rachel Rutter states, “Effective, affordable, and humane research methods include studies of human populations, volunteers, and patients, as well as sophisticated in vitro, genomic, and computer-modeling techniques.” None of these methods

According to the National Institutes of Health, animal testing has been around since the days of philosopher Aristotle. According to ProCon.org, there are an estimated 26 million animals used for scientific and commercial testing in the U.S. alone. Animal testing has brought many good things to the medical world, such as the treatment various disease. Also, the animal is being tested by many cosmetics companies. On the other hand, organizations like PETA- People of Ethical Treatment of Animals have fought against the medical testing of animals. There are pros and cons that come with the usage of animals in the biomedical and cosmetic testing, and each side needs should be carefully examined before deciding one way or another.

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a search and found that 92% of drugs labeled as “safe” in animals, did not even enter the clinical trial phase, as they were deemed unsafe for humans (Capaldo, June 2014). Many people have the assumption that these laboratories use animals that are similar to human, DNA or physically wise. However, in 2011, the Institute of Medicine concluded

Before a particular medicine or treatment is offered for human use, there are tested by scientist in animals to see their effectiveness. There are positive sides of animal testing.

Do you think that animal testing is economically sound? Animal testing is wrong for the

More than 100 million animals are killed in United States laboratories every year. These animals include mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish and birds. Many companies and cosmetic brands still test on animals, even knowing the torture that comes with it. During this testing there are several different types of tests being ran on the animals, most are painful and cruel. There are many questions about animal testing, is it necessary? Is it humane? What happens during testing? What can one do to solve the problem?

Although animal testing helps with medical research. It is not right, since it is basically animal cruelty. Animal testing is wrong in many ways, since animals don’t know what’s going on. So the big question is, is animal testing really necessary? Animal testing happens every day in laboratories. Animals shouldn’t have to be harmed when being tested on, they have feelings just like humans do. There are many different kinds of animals that get tested on such as: rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, and even dogs. Why put animal’s lives in harm’s way, when there are other resources out there to help with medical researching?

Over 100 million animals are killed in experiments in the U.S. alone each year, according Laboratory Animal Resource Center at UC San Francisco. At the University of Missouri a study was done were they intentionally damaged the corneas of the dogs and given a topical acid treatment that was supposed to heal the eye, it did not, and the beagles were eventually put to death. Because of the cruel nature of animal testing, there should be an alternative.

Over the years millions of animals are killed in laboratories, Including thousands of dogs- most Beagles. These beagles get confined for years or months, The dogs are usually kept in small cages or runs. Most of the time of their lives, Their being used for toxicology, the Beagles get fed lines of experimental drugs. They do this until the Beagle is dead from all the toxins it consumed, leading to a slow and painful death.

Chemicals, cosmetics, household products, and medical devices have been tested on animals such as mice, rabbits and rats, and more for a number of years. It is assumed that a humans’ response to these types of products will often correlate with the responses of an animal (Testing). Animals are tested because they are deemed as key information to help develop new medicines, and discover more about human health and biology. Some believe using animals only for human advantage is morally wrong, while others believe not experimenting at all would hinder our understanding of well-being and ailment, which would affect the progress of new and vital treatments. Researchers are mandated to follow specific instructions in order to minimize the harm experienced. The first of the instructions is using a substitute like human volunteers, cell culture, or computer modelling when applicable. Next, is bettering experimental procedures and communicating with other researchers so that the same experiments are not being repeated by several people, which will accordingly reduce the number of animals used. Lastly, less invasive procedures are used when possible to reduce stress or discomfort, and expand medical care and living conditions (Should animals be used in research, 2017).

Animal experimentation has been in practice for over centuries. Years ago, it was extremely relevant for new scientific discoveries and advances in medicine. In fact, it has lead to some of society’s major medical advancements; such as organ transplant techniques, anti-transplant rejection medications, the heart-lung machine, antibiotics, and the whooping cough vaccine. Animal testing started as rarely conducted tests and procedures, but the practices have skyrocketed in recent years. As the experiments increased, so did the controversy. Although it may have been beneficial and relevant in years past- society’s morals have changed. The first animal protection law was enacted in 1822; the reasoning behind it was specifically to regulate animal testing. A group called antivivisectionists, meaning those who are against the act of surgery conducted for experimental purposes on a living organism, gained popularity in the late 1800’s. These activists believed that in order to achieve a peaceful society, mercy was needed and vivisection was putting a stop to this. However, this antivivisectionist movement started to decline in the 1920’s. It was thought that this was because of the achievements made in medicines in that era and the leading factor being animal testing. Since then, it has still not been completely banned; however it is still an ethical issue to this day. “Almost all states actively research on animals at present. The total scale of all research on vertebrates is

In one year, people in the United States consume 1 billion chickens, 150 million cattle, pigs and sheep annually. Compared to this, the total combined amount of animals used for research is only 26 million, with 95% the animals being rodents, birds and fish. This would account to nearly 340 chickens consumed per animal used in research (US Statistics, 2016). Consequently, even with this knowledge, people continue to ignore facts and statistics; calling this practice unethical or even inhumane. This is due the rise of social media and organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), whose tactics rely more on emotional appeal than facts and logic, going so far as to twist and manipulate and the information given until it suits their ideals. Because of this, the amount of myths and misleading information spread around has increased over these past years. What this community fails to mention is the benefits and misconceptions of animal testing, as well as the vital part that it plays in the field of medicine and veterinary science. All of these (based on facts and statistics) are why animal testing for research purposes should be allowed to continue.

Like Regan, I also regard myself as an advocate for animal rights, and therefore part of the animal rights movement. The torture and killing of innocent non-human animals needs to be stopped; this includes animal testing for biomedical research and in science, commercial animal agriculture, and fur farming. The termination of these lives is extremely cruel. But most of all, Animals are viewed as only existing for mankind and this is major flaw. As Regan stated, “the fundamental wrong is the system that allows us to view animals as our resources, here for us.” When crossed with ethics, it creates a dilemma. The use of animals as a resource for human needs is not necessary.