Arguments Against Animal Testing

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The practice of using animals for testing has been a controversial issue over the past few decades. There are many reasons why animals are tested on. For example, in some cases, animal testing is done purely for cosmetic and superficial purposes. However, testing on animals can also lead to the advancement of our scientific understanding. Without animal testing, the cure for polio would not exist and diabetics would suffer or die from their disease. Despite these benefits, some people believe that animals should be not be used for testing regardless of the circumstances. This essay will outline the advantages of animal testing. One of the most common arguments against animal testing is that animals make poor test subjects. While it is true that animal systems differ from human systems, there are enough similarities to apply information from animals to humans. It is a known fact that the DNA of chimpanzees is 99% similar with humans, while the genetics of mice are 98% similar. Humans and animals are not only genetically similar, but also …show more content…

In some cases, this is true. They can be forced fed, deprived of food and water, restrained physically for prolonged periods, inflicted with burns, and even killed through neck-breaking or asphyxiation. However, this brutal treatment has been decreasing in the past few years and animal research has become highly regulated, with laws enacted to protect animals and ensure their well-being. Additionally, experimentation on animals can offer benefits to animals themselves. If the vaccines were not tested on them, a lot of them could have died from rabies, infectious hepatitis virus, anthrax, feline leukemia, and canine parvovirus. It is also beneficial to note that the experimentation on animals has helped keep endangered species, such as the California condor, and the black-footed ferret, from becoming