The ethics debate surrounding medical research that utilizes animal testing is a divisive topic, which is not mediated by the current perception of animal testing. The idea that animals are mistreated and neglected in laboratory facilities is an antiquated perception which is not reflective of the current, highly regulated practice in modern medical research. Medical research on animals should not be forbidden by law because it is already highly regulated for the protection of animals, there are currently no adequate alternatives, and the practice has been essential to the development of numerous life-saving treatments.
Medical research on animals is a highly regulated practice. The Animal Welfare Act not only sets guidelines on how animals can be procured, but also their housing conditions, and stipulates regular veterinary examinations for all test subjects (USDA). Additionally, a scale of pain/distress
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have all been made possible because of animal testing (California Biomedical Research Association). Additionally, surgeries can also be perfected by practicing on animals before they are conducted on humans, thereby increasing the survival rates of complicated surgeries. Besides the benefits of animal testing towards medical research, animal testing is an important part of the FDA approval process as previously stated, and without which, the process would be lengthened. The FDA would be very reluctant to move a drug onto the clinical trial process without sufficient data being obtained, which is not provided by alternative testing methods. If the FDA process were lengthened due to a ban on animal testing, this would cause even more delays on possibly life-saving treatments being available to the public. To delay the process even further would be a disservice to a society which values the lives of humans over