Imagine being known by a number instead of a real name and being locked up in a small metal cage for the majority of your life. There is no sunlight, no fresh air, and no connection to others. In addition to these conditions, numerous harmful tests are conducted on you every day. The tests are painful, as they may inject poison, chemicals, or drugs into your body. No pain killers are given to ease the pain and after the tests you are shoved back into the dark cage. This is the life for millions of animals who live in laboratories for the sole purpose of research and testing. These animals are thinking beings who have basic rights just like humans do. They have the right to respect, the right to give consent, and the right to a safe environment. Animal testing violates these basic rights that all thinking beings have. With that said, testing on animals for medicine and cosmetics is unethical and needs to be banned, as it not only violates basic rights, but it is also abusive and unreliable. …show more content…
According to the USDA, the number of animals in the United States used in research rose 6.9% from 2015 to 2016 (“USDA Publishes”). The numbers of animals used are continuing to increase, as there is always new research to be done. The most common animals tested on are mice, rats, rabbits, fish, hamsters, dogs, monkeys, birds, and pigs. These various animals are not only used for research in medicine, but are used in genetic engineering, physiological and psychological research, agricultural research, safety and cosmetic testing, testing new drugs and vaccines, and surgical techniques. The purpose of research on animals is to benefit humans; however, the way the research and testing are executed raises many ethical