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Recommended: Testing on animals
Many people believe that animals have a different anatomy than humans, therefore, scientists should not rely on animal testing. In contrast, others say that it’s safer to test medicines on animals before giving them to people; in this way scientists make sure that their medicines are not toxic, nor harmful to humans. Further,
The innocent eyes of a benevolent puppy looking up at you are nothing more than fading memories as the unrecognizable dog, physically and emotionally scarred by animal testing, stares deeply into your eyes with one question, “What did I do to deserve this?” Animal testing is cruel, inhumane, and inaccurate. Whether the testing be done for medical research, or cosmetic research there are certain rights that these animals have and several alternatives in general to this heinous practice. What exactly is animal testing? Animal testing is the use of animals in medical and cosmetic experimentation.
Some may say animal testing ensures products are safety for human consumption. However, these testings goes against basic rights for living creatures. When picking out your mascara or eyeliner do you ever think what the story is behind the packaging and the product itself? “Over 100 million animals are burned, crippled, poisoned, and abused in US labs every year”(do something.org). Helpless and defenseless animals are being performed on for different types of experiments all around the world.
Since ancient times, animals have been experimented on by humans. The greeks used animals to advance anatomical study and further understanding of the body. Starting in the twelfth century, surgical procedures were tested and studied using animals. Because anesthetics were only greatly introduced in the mid- nineteenth century, the animals suffered through every cut and every poke (Scutti, Susan).
In the United Kingdom, every new drug must have been tested on two different species of mammals in order to make sure of the results. Without animal experimentation, medicines wouldn’t have existed. An estimated 29 million animals are used every year in the United States for scientific testing. One positive point is that many medical treatments and medications have been developed from animal testing. Because animals share many features with humans, scientists use animals to test the safety of developed medications.
Millions upon millions of animals are killed mercilessly every year due to these experiments. “Most animal experiments are not relevant to human health, they do not contribute meaningfully to medical advances and many are undertaken simply out of curiosity and do not even pretend to hold promise for curing illnesses” (Animal). Not only does this testing waste animal lives, but humans as well. Because animal testing is so ineffective, many humans have contracted illness, irritations, mental problems, etc. because of these drugs being successful on animals and not humans.
Over the years, animals have been an integral part of human society. Only recently has there been laws to protect these animals from being mistreated. Welfare laws are put in place to prevent as much suffering as possible and require humane treatment of animals. However, there are some people who think that animals are deserving of rights to prevent any and all cruelty and exploitation towards animals. Throughout history, animals have been exploited by humans through means of animal testing, animal agriculture, and entertainment purposes.
Animal testing and animal experimentation is an ancient practice. In ancient times, animal testing was the only way to test the safety of medicines. With the advance technology we have today there are more accurate and humane methods to test the safety of products and drugs. Yet, the FDA, which is responsible for guaranteeing the safety of drugs and products, only requires products to go through animal testing. Every year there are products and drugs that pass the FDA’s animal testing and go to the market and end up hurting or killing thousands of people.
For many centuries scientists have tested human products on animals, not caring whether or not the animals lived. But that's not right, because even though animals aren't human they are still living things. And all living things deserve to live and not be tested on. So why do people test on animals, specially if the products are intended for humans? Although animals have similar body systems there are still chemicals and other things that could injure animals.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a clinical trial of Hepatitis B drug fialuridine had to be stopped because it caused severe liver damage in seven patients, five of whom died. It had been tested on animals first. The multiple claims of medicine tested on animals bringing harm to the very people it was designed to help shows that testing on animals poses a threat to not just animals, but humans as well. It 's a moot point to bring suffering to a living being if the reasoning behind the harm is
Although animal testing does find side effects in their products, However the experiments can kill the animal. “ 100 million animals—including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing”. Says the author of peta the website. This shows that these experiments are lethal and very dangerous.
Should animals be suffering just because humans are trying to advance our medical techniques? Should they be forced to eat? Should people be allowed to torture them this way? Do you think so? In fact, more than 100 million animals are killed each year during scientific and commercial testing, in the U.S alone.
Imagine an enraged animal rights activist charging toward a scientist in a white lab coat, desperate to free the little mice that are being used as test subjects. Although comical, this scene may be quite accurate when describing the passion that animal lovers have when it comes to the touchy subject of animal testing. For centuries, animal testing has been used in the medical research field, however many are now beginning to question whether it is ethical. Millions of animals are killed per year due to animal testing, so is this practice worth banning? Animal testing is a controversial subject, with supporters pointing out the medical advances that have stemmed from animal research and animal rights activists declaring it cruel and immoral.
“No matter whether it’s someone from the political left or right, we just need a voice to stand up and defend animal rights” a quote from Brigitte Bardot on animal experimentation. Animal experimentation has been going on for over 300 years and this is just what has been recorded in records. There are many types of test performed on animals:Draize Test: A laboratory test in which a cosmetic or drug is dropped into a rabbit 's eyes, which are held open with clips, to determine the level of irritation. Named after John Henry Draize, a twentieth century pharmacologist with the United States Food and Drug Administration.
A very good example of why we need to test on animals is the Thalidomide Disaster. In the 1950s-60s The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ran tests to determine if it was safe to use. The Thalidomide drug was given out to pregnant women to help cure morning sickness. Instead of helping, it killed many babies, and approximately 15,000 babies were born with limb defects. This drug was tested on animals, but all the necessary test were not ran to insure the safety of consumer.