Replacing Animal Testing: Unrealistic

Replacing Animal Testing: Unrealistic The issue of whether or not animal experimentation should be used for research in medicine and science has been debated for years. After conducting research on both sides of the issue, I have found that we should not replace animal testing with alternative methods at the present time. The proposal to replace animal testing in medical science is somewhat unrealistic and would prove to be disadvantageous. There are four substantial reasons for this: animal research currently plays (and has long played) a vital role in advancing medical science, alternatives cannot sufficiently replace animal testing, current laws prevent the total elimination of animal testing, and there is a lack of substantial evidence that says replacing animal tests would be beneficial. Animal tests play a huge role in advancing medical science. Physicians and researchers agree that animal systems provide priceless and irreplaceable insights into human systems. The essential need for animal research is recognized and supported by medical societies and health agencies around the world. Animal research has played a fundamental part in many of the major medical advances in human health in the last century, not to mention the medical treatments developed that help the animals themselves. "From antibiotics to blood transfusions, from dialysis to organ transplantation, from vaccinations to chemotherapy, bypass surgery and joint replacement, practically every present day protocol for the prevention, treatment, cure and control of disease, pain and suffering is based on knowledge attained through animal research" ("Proud Achievements" 2). Animals are the best models available right now because they are biologically similar to humans, they are susceptible to many of the same health problems, and they have short life-cycles so they can easily be studied throughout their entire life-span. Scientists can also easily control the environment around the animal (diet,

Cited: "Educational Resources about Animal Research." Foundation For Biomedical Research. Jan. 2005. Washington, DC. 12 Nov. 2005. "Animal Welfare Act Facts." In Defense of Animals. Mill Valley, CA. 13 Dec. 05. "Proud Achievements of Animal Research and the Consequences of Halting It." Foundation for Biomedical Research. Washington, DC. 2001. United States. FDA. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Washington: 2001. "Why do scientists use animals in research?" American Physiological Society Homepage. Nov. 2005. Bethesda, MD. 15 Nov 2005.