Animal Testing: Yes or No?

Animal Testing
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name/Number
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
 
Animal Testing: Yes or No?
Introduction
Animal testing, alternatively referred to as animal experimentation, in vivo testing, or animal research, is the use of animals particularly in experiments that are purposed to control the variants that influence the biological system or behavior under study. Animal testing has been in existence since the dawn of medicine. From testing cosmetics to biomedical research, many individuals are of the opinion that animal testing is necessary, especially in determining the usability of certain products and establishing the effectiveness of certain medicines. There is a widespread concept that experimenting with animals is the optimal way to find cures and treatments for individuals; however, the way these animals are treated raises concern, especially in contemporary society. Society feels that animals, as much as humans, have the right to live freely, and fulfilling this right means that animal testing must become a societal problem. Because of these concerns, several acts and laws have been established to protect animals. And with technological advancements and advances in research, people are beginning to question whether animal testing is a necessity. The future of biomedical research, cosmetics, and medicine should not rely wholly on animals for testing. Rather, alternative testing methods should be used to determine the effectiveness and usability of products.
Problem
Animal testing is the preferred method for determining the usability of cosmetics including skincare, makeup, shampoo, household cleaning products, and biomedical research that offers treatments and medicines for pets and humans alike. As stated by Simon Festing, “Animal research has constituted to various medical advances which are now disregarded by many; organ transplants, anesthetics, insulin for diabetes, and antibiotics are some of the discoveries that have been brought about by animal research” (2008).
Thus, if animal testing has brought about so much good, how can it be considered wrong? Undoubtedly, studies have proved that animal testing is advantageous to the medical and biomedical fields. However, animals’ rights are violated whenever they are used in research. In the words of Tom Regan, “Animals are entitled to respectful treatment,” (Orlans, 1993, pg. 26). Animals, just us humans, are “subjects of a life” and subjects of a life have “inherent value.” When animals are viewed as tools in scientific experiments, their inherent value is not respected (Orlans, 1993, pg. 26). Humans and animals are alike in numerous ways; they both have goals, desires, and preferences. Thus, they should be accorded the same respect as humans. Regan further asserts that no matter how much humans might benefit at the expense of animals’ basic rights, animal experimentation is still morally wrong (Orlans, 1993, pg.26). Animals do not voluntarily offer themselves up for the progression of human welfare. Their fate lies in the hands of humans. When humans dictate the fate of animals in research environments, their rights are violated.
Added to their rights being violated, animal testing causes unimaginable pain. According to the AVMA, pain refers to “Unpleasant emotional and sensory experience identified as stemming from a certain section of the body and linked to potential tissue damage or actual pain (Orlans, 1993, pg.26). Animals used in experiments often go through procedures that give rise to trauma and terrible pain (Kolar, 2006) – examples include being infected with diseases or viruses that are allowed to develop too far before the animals are euthanized humanely, or, being submerged underwater abruptly without warning for long periods of time.
Solution
Considering the horrifying physical and psychological pain that animals have to undergo while tests are being conducted; alternative methods of testing are an attractive solution. As asserted by Callanan, there is a wide spectrum of successful research as well as tests that have been conducted to find remedies for sicknesses and diseases that have inflicted pain on humans and did not require the testing of animals (2009). Many scientists and researchers have developed alternative ways to find treatments for the human population because they do not believe in the harming of animals. Some of these new developments include computer models, micro-organisms, volunteer stud...