Utilitarianism, in its true meaning, is an ethical theory that holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure and minimizes overall pain or suffering. It’s based on the idea that morality should be based on the greatest good for the greatest number of people, and that this morality should be judged based on its consequences, not on the intentions of the person committing the acts. This theory has been influential in many aspects of society and is why I will be explaining the reasons as to why utilitarianism should be used as the base theory when it comes to the betterment of society. But first, in order to understand the importance of why utilitarianism can and should be used, you have to look into why thinking
The laboratories in which rabbits and other animals are tested, the rabbits are held in small cages by themselves for weeks and months. There is no sunlight and the rabbits are not allowed to go outside. Rabbit 32 which is one of the 170,000 rabbits who will be killed this year due to animal testing, is locked up by himself waiting for people to do test on him. Some of the tests that Rabbit 32 has endured is being fed chemicals to see how it affects the rabbit. Another test that the scientist do is, a device to hold the rabbit down so it cannot move and the scientist drip chemicals into the eyes and onto the skin and wait to see how the rabbits react to the chemical.
Introduction Animals testing have significantly contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge in general and to biomedical progress specifically. Many example showing that laboratory animals in medical development and other aspects have significantly influenced human health and reduced suffering, for example improved diagnosis of infectious disease (Hau, Jann, Schapiro & Steven, 2002). But since 1960s and 1970s, animals testing protests has gained prominence and strength, people start to argue is it moral to continue “cruel” animal testing. Animal Testing is a Moral Act In the rest of this article, I shall apply different concept under utilitarianism try to discuss whether animal testing are moral acts. It is important to notice that (1) in this article, applying the general idea of utilitarianism which is “the greatest happiness of greatest number” and (2) the animals testing under the rules and regulations.
The controversial topic that I chose to do my research paper on is whether or not animal testing should be used in scientific experiments. This topic is important because 26 million animals are used annually in the U.S alone. I chose this topic because of the strong views of both sides and how well backed up they are. This is a major discussion that has been going on for years with no apparent resolution in sight. There are two sides to using animal testing, which are that using animals has helped us in experiments, making us able to test on living subjects without using human volunteers, and that animal testing is abusive, cruel and unnecessary because of the other resources we could use, being that animals are different from humans.
We wouldn’t subject our pets to burning, starving, and isolation, so why is it okay to subject other animals to this cruel treatment? Animal testing is harmful not only because it is unsafe, but because it poses a question of moral judgement. Testing on animals should be illegal because it is unethical, drugs that pass animal tests are not necessarily safe, and many animals lack the protection required for their safety. Many people are unaware of the torture animals in labs must endure when being tested on.
Mankind shares a psychological phenomenon known as reason where it is “the intellectual ability to apprehend the truth cognitively, either immediately in intuition, or by means of process of inference.” (Philosophy pages) Humans being gifted to be given such ability to be able to go through reasonable circular thinking may in turn be burdened by questions. Such vary nature of reason, even if it means to surpass all powers, cannot be ignored nor answered. (Kant, 7)
Researchers estimated over 26 million animals were used for scientific tests and commercial testing subject every year in the United States. Over the years animals were used to be tested on medical treatments, products for human uses, health care, and etc. The practice of researching on living animals has started since 500 BC. Opponents of this act say that it is cruel to experiment on animals, there are other methods available to replace the cruel act of experimenting on living animals, and that the human bodies and animal’s bodies are totally two different features and the research often yields irrelevant results. The federal Animal Welfare or AWA passed the animal testing act in 1966 and amended in 1970, 1976, and 1985.
Humans use makeup for special occasions and medicine to help with a sickness. Due to this scientist try to make new makeup and new medicine, and they do this with animals. From a diversity of animal species, to animals of all ages are used in terrifying research and tests. Over 100 million animals die each year just from make up, medical research and testing. Some people hate rodents including mice and rats, but using them for testing is not okay.
The morality of an action is determined by the outcome of that action. At an initial glance, Utilitarianism seems as if it would be a superior way to live a life full of good will, as it is focused on doing the most
Utilitarianism is a very controversial theory. Many people disagree with this idea because it disrupts our personal relationships, it is too demanding, it promotes that the consequences are the only thing that matters, and shows that pleasures are the only things that are important. Classical Utilitarianism is based on three points; that morality of actions are only bases on consequences, the consequences only matter if it creates more or less happiness, and everyone gets equal considerations when it comes to happiness. The classical Utilitarianism was made and defended by three philosophers from 19th century England; John Mill, Jeremy Bentham, and Henry Sidgwick. These people help this theory to be highly influential in the modern era.
Should Animal Testing be Allowed? Animal testing has been a controversial issue for a long time now. Whether or not animal testing is humane or not, both sides of the argument are hard to choose from . On one hand you have the possibility of curing diseases, saving lives, and helping the human race. On the other hand you have the lives of many innocent animals who are being injected, probed, caged and mistreated for just facts.
Human Experimentation The looming concern of human experimentation was enough to deter some individuals from seeking the medical care that they needed for their well-being. The thought that trusted medical professionals had the power to perform unethical experiments on them while they were in their care was enough to let them live with whatever ailment that they had. By not seeking out the care that they desperately needed in some cases only lead to further problems. Several doctors abused their patients' trust for their own curiosities.
Every year, millions of animals were suffering or killed due to scientific research. Some animal rights groups suggest that we should ban animal experiments because use animals for experimentation is cruel and animals should have the same right of living as human beings. A report from U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that more than 100 million animals are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing. There are some other people believe that the death of animals will help and save millions of human lives. Personally I believe that the experimentation on animals for scientific and medical should not be stopped.
Animals Testing Is animal testing necessary?. Should we ban expending animals in medical research or not?. More than 26 million animals are used in different countries like the United States and Canada. Animal testing may by defining as the use of animals in experiments and research that seeks to control the variable that impacts the behavior or biological system under study. Using large number of animals is mainly meant to find treatments and cure for certain diseases.
Animal Testing is Inhumane. Multiple species are dying by normal nature happenings, such as being eaten or something like that. However, that 's just the life cycle. But even with this ongoing cycle, the deaths that happen in it don 't get anywhere close to the amount of animals killed by us humans. Each year, 100 million animals, including mice, rats, dogs, frogs, cats, and more, are all killed for scientific usage.
