The Pros of Continuing Animal Testing

A highly debated argument in today’s society is animal research and testing. There is much controversy surrounding the issue not only within biology, but general ethics as well. Some people feel that animal research is ethical because it furthers human well-being, as well as provides mechanisms to cure disease. Other people, however, believe animal research is not ethical because the treatment of the animal is inhumane, unnecessary, and non consensual. I personally feel that animal testing is very important in the world of medical research and should continue. Many scientists and researchers are for animal testing. People throughout the world are living better lives because of the advancements made possible from the results of animal research. Researchers within many different medical and scientific organizations agree that animal testing is absolutely essential for progress. For example, over 70 percent of the Nobel Prize winners in medicine have used animals in their research. Advancements in science through animal research have brought us closer to finding cures for diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Nearly all of the scientists who do research on animals do it because they hope that, while it causes a few to experience pain now, it will help prevent many from feeling pain later. The vast majority of researchers take much responsibility caring for the animals they use and conduct their experiments humanely and with great sensitivity. They insure that animals don 't suffer needlessly and take good care of them. For example, in many research facilities, most animals that undergo surgery are given anesthesia first so they will be "asleep" during the surgery. The researchers are governed by more strict rules and regulations than any other profession that uses animals. Their practices are continually reviewed by local, state, and federal agencies. The approval process for animal experimentation is very thorough and is designed to insure the use of the fewest

Citations: "Animal Research Industry." StopAnimalTests.com. February 2004. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. 15 November 2006. <http://www.stopanimaltests.com/AnimalResearchInd.asp>. "Animal Testing." Real Issues: Animal Testing. 2005. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 15 November 2006. <http://www.animaland.org/asp/realissues/testing.asp>. Festing, Simon. “The Animal Research Debate” The Political Quarterly, October 2005, Vol. 76, Issue 4. p 568-572. Rollin, Bernard E. “The Regulation of Animal Research and the Emergence of Animal Ethics: A Conceptual History” Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics, October 2006, Vol. 27, Issue 4, p 285 – 304. Saucier, Donald A. “The Foundations of Attitudes About Animal Research” Ethics & Behavior, April 2006, Vol. 16, Issue 2, p 117-133