Animal Testing and Experimentation
Throughout history, humans have relied on animals for being an essential part of understanding society. Animals are used for research for different things such as entertainment, research, and resources for apparel and food industries. The use of animals in society has always been a controversial subject, and one of the biggest controversies that has been around for hundreds of years is animal experimentation. Involving animals in “medical experimentation, product testing, and education is a controversial subject that often leads to heated debate” (Animals Used in Experimentations). Many people believe it is necessary because of the possible benefits it can hold for understanding society. However, many people think that animal experimentation is cruel and disregards animal rights. Animal testing has been found to either hold a purpose for research, or just cause more destruction in the lives of animals. There are many companies that rely on animals for experimentation, and not only in the United States, but also in the European Union and India. Animals are obtained for experiments in many different ways, and I would argue that while animal testing by industries can be harmful for animals, it can also be beneficial for both animals and humans.
Animal experimentation has been looked at as both purposeful but also worthless. The controversy between whether the act is helpful for society or if it is just taking advantage of innocent animals has been going on for years. The biggest contribution animal experimentation has had on society is finding life-saving treatments. Through medical procedures, animals have been found to help with the “understanding and treating conditions such as breast cancer, brain injury, childhood leukemia, cystic fibrosis, malaria, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, and many others”(Animal Testing – ProCon…). These experiments have had multiple success in both furthering the knowledge of people and also saving the lives of thousands. On the contrary, many people think these tests aren’t worth the torture inflicted on these animals. Experimentation can be very health-damaging to animals, it can cause extreme pain and even death. Not only is discomfort a part of the procedure but “the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in 2010 that 97,123 animals suffered pain during experiments while being given no anesthesia for relief” (Animal Testing- ProCon…). Not only are animals in pain with some experiments, but they are given no medication to avoid any feeling of pain.
Another major debate on animal experimentation is whether or not animal testing actually contribute to research that can be related to humans. Many people believe that studying animals is better than using human subjects because “researchers can study the effects of treatments or genetic manipulation over a whole lifespan, or across several generations, which would be infeasible using human subjects” (Animal Testing – ProCon…). Using animals such as mice, who live only a few years, can help researchers understand conditions a lot quicker which help answer questions at a much faster rate. However, through research and examined results, it is likely an experiment done on an animal might actually not benefit humans at all. Most of the testing has been “misleading and resulted in either withholding of drugs…or to the release and use of drugs that, though harmless to animals, have actually contributed to human suffering and death” (Animal Experimentation). Sometimes the only thing that comes out of an experiment is just animal suffering. Animals are used in thousands of studies yet “94% of drugs that pass animal tests fail in human clinical trials” (Animal Testing – ProCon…), which shows how animals have a huge chance of not actually benefitting humans. In many studies animals have given reliable evidence to scientists, and in other studies these animals have only suffered rather than give dependable information.
The last main argument that is brought up about animal experimentation is whether the laws do or don’t protect animal rights. Animals are protected by many laws, including the Animal Welfare Act, which, “as well as stipulating minimum housing standards for research animals (enclosure size, temperature, access to clean food and water, and others), the AWA also requires regular inspections by veterinarians” (Animal Testing – ProCon…). This law was made in order to ensure the rights of animals and keep them in a healthy and safe environment. Some argue that these laws are perfect for the animal tests, giving the animals a comfortable environment. Nevertheless, many agree that this act purposefully creates a law that unprotects most of the animals that are being used in experiments. AWA “specifically excludes rats, mice, and birds bred for research, who constitute 90-95 percent of animals in labs (Harm and Suffering). This act is limited which give animals little to no protection. AWA is a way of keeping animals in a safe and healthy environment, yet also has many loopholes that potentially doesn’t benefit the animals that are being used in experiments. The opinions on animal experimentation will vary from people to people, company to company, and country to country.
Many industries have been known to use animals to test their products and developments. However, many companies have stopped their use of animal experimentation and turned to different methods. Some of the popular companies that have stopped using animals for their test are “Pandora’s Products, Cheeky Cosmetics, and Smashbox Cosmetics” (Search For Cruelty-Free Companies). These places have found alternatives to animal experimentation and found other ways to test their products in effect and efficient manners. Popular companies that have invested time and money into animal testing include “Acuvue, Air Wick, Listerine, Suave, and Windex” (Search for Cruelty...). These companies have recognized the benefits animals provide in testing their work. Their products depend on these animal tests to make sure their products are safe for consumer purchases. Not only do certain companies rely heavily on animal experimentation, but there are many countries that depend on experimentations as well.
Apart from the United States, many countries are home to powerful companies that depend their success on animal experimentation. The European Union is one of the most popular countries that perform experiments on animals. Here, there are over “12 million animals that are officially used in scientific procedures” (International Animal Testing Programs), and this statistic doesn’t take in an account of thousands of animals that are not reported. The European Union has made some changes, however, “in 2013, all animal testing for cosmetics was banned in the EU” (International Animal Testing Programs). The European Union has been known for their tests on animals, but now many of these tests have to meet certain criteria to perform. These programs have had special investigation that help control the amount of animal tests that are done on animals.
Animal experimentation doesn’t only dominate certain programs in the European Union, but it also contributes immensely to hundreds of India’s manufacturing companies. Research has shown that India was home to “dreadful conditions for animals in laboratories… where monkeys were confined alone to rusty, cramped cages for many years in violation of Indian law” (International Animal Testing Programs). India has exposed many of their procedures, which were found to be harsh conditions for animals. However, opinions on animal experimentation throughout India is slowly changing, “the Pharmacy Council of India now recommends the use of superior non-animal tools such as computer-aided education in labs and examinations (International Animal Testing Programs). Animal experimentation is slowly evolving and many opinions are changing. Even though many countries are home to many companies that depend on animal tests, there are many companies that are changing their policies regarding the animals being used. Because of the importance of these animal tests, “the use of animals in experimentation is greatly regulated” (Animal Testing and Medicine). Some companies benefit from these regulations, while others find it difficult to work around. These regulations are kept fair for some companies who trust in animal experimentation. The companies that do not need animal experimentation for their products, have one less restriction to worry about.
Some people find the use of animals in experimentation to be an important tool in understanding science, while many people think that it is morally wrong. For many scientists, it is important to provide safe products to protect the lives of humans. From finding cures of deadly diseases to ensuring safety in medical procedures “the knowledge obtained through this research has positively changed the lives of countless people” (Animal Experimentation: Science…). Even if emotions do play a role in animal experimentation, the lives that are saved and discoveries are found to have a greater emotional impact. However, some companies suggest that using animals is wrong, and how animals are still living creatures just like humans. Many people think animals who are a part of the experimentation programs “languish in pain, ache with loneliness, and long to roam free and use their minds” (Animals Used for Experimentation). Animals who are used in experimentation are not able to do the activities they want to do, and are treated in ways no animals should be treated.
There are thousands of animals that roam this Earth, and a lot of them are used in tests. These animals are either chosen to be a part of these tests in a couple different ways. Animals could be obtained “from auctions, through pound seizure…or from "free to good home" ads” (Animals Used in Research). Not only can you receive animals from these limited locations, but there are also people who work to “purposely breed animals for use in experimentation” (Animals Used in Research). These places are crucial for companies who do rely on their products to be tested on animals. However, pounds and auctions do not necessarily expect people to purchase animals to use for experiments. These places are where companies can make purchases so they can perform their experiments on the animal.
Through this controversial topic, most of it involves the actual experiments being done and whether they hurt the animals or not. There are many different experiments done on animals that are used for research. Many of the experiments done on animals test products to see if they are safe for human use. Eye irritancy test is one of the most common tests done on animals. This test done on rabbits has been known to be unreliable because “the structure of the cornea of the eye of a rabbit differs significantly from that of a human. Rabbits also produce a smaller volume of tears than humans” (Types of Animal Testing). However, alternative tests have been created for replacement of some tests that use animals. Testing products on animals for skin irritation is another popular technique used for companies. Often these tests are inapplicable due to the difference in anatomy between humans and animals. For skin irritation tests, “alternatives have been validated” (Types of Animal Testing) to prevent the need to use animals. Science still uses animals to test products, but action is being taken in finding other ways to test products.
Through research I have learned that there are multiple viewpoints on this subtopic, I have learned that many people aren’t on just one side to the argument, but have looked at animal experimentation through both lenses. Many people believe animal experimentation is essential, but some of these people also believe in finding and substituting alternatives for experimentations. All over the world there are companies using animal experimentation, and all over the world there are people with different reactions towards this subject. I have learned to look at animal experimentation through multiple views. I agree that animal tests are essential for humans and their daily lives, but I would certainly hope research is being done to help provide alternative solutions to animal experimentation. I think this would be a great discovery and would help lead to further investigations on animal experimentation. Animal experimentation is a widely debated subject all over the world which remained hundreds of years ago and will remain for many more years to come.
Works Cited
"Animal Testing - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. <http://animal-testing.procon.org/>.
"Animals Used for Experimentation." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2014. <http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for- experimentation/>.
"Animals Used in Research." - The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2014. <http://www.aavs.org/site/c.bkLTKfOSLhK6E/b.6446369/k.66FC/Animals_Used_in_Research.htm#.U2VHPfldWSo>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/experiments_1.shtml>.
"Harm and Suffering | Animal Use in Research." Harm and Suffering | Animal Use in Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. <http://www.neavs.org/research/harm-suffering>.
"Search for Cruelty-Free Companies | Beauty | Living | PETA." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014. <http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_search.aspx?Donottest=8&Product=0&Dotest=-1&Regchange=-1&Country=-1&Keyword=>.
"Speak Out for Species (S.O.S) - Animals Used in Experiments and Testing." Speak Out for Species (S.O.S) - Animals Used in Experiments and Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. <http://sos.uga.edu/experiments.html>.
"THE USE OF ANIMALS IN PRODUCT TESTING." The Use of Animals in Product Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.navs.org/science/animals-in-product-testing>.
"Types of Animal Testing." - The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014. <http://www.aavs.org/site/c.bkLTKfOSLhK6E/b.6457299/k.82D0/Types_of_Animal_Testing.htm#.U20P6_ldWSo>.
"Vertebrate Journal." Vertebrate Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014. <http://www.vertebratejournal.org/2013/animal-experimentation-science-ethics-and-the-controversy/>.
Animal experimentation has been looked at as both purposeful but also worthless. The controversy between whether the act is helpful for society or if it is just taking advantage of innocent animals has been going on for years. The biggest contribution animal experimentation has had on society is finding life-saving treatments. Through medical procedures, animals have been found to help with the “understanding and treating conditions such as breast cancer, brain injury, childhood leukemia, cystic fibrosis, malaria, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, and many others”(Animal Testing – ProCon…). These experiments have had multiple success in both furthering the knowledge of people and also saving the lives of thousands. On the contrary, many people think these tests aren’t worth the torture inflicted on these animals. Experimentation can be very health-damaging to animals, it can cause extreme pain and even death. Not only is discomfort a part of the procedure but “the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in 2010 that 97,123 animals suffered pain during experiments while being given no anesthesia for relief” (Animal Testing- ProCon…). Not only are animals in pain with some experiments, but they are given no medication to avoid any feeling of pain.
Another major debate on animal experimentation is whether or not animal testing actually contribute to research that can be related to humans. Many people believe that studying animals is better than using human subjects because “researchers can study the effects of treatments or genetic manipulation over a whole lifespan, or across several generations, which would be infeasible using human subjects” (Animal Testing – ProCon…). Using animals such as mice, who live only a few years, can help researchers understand conditions a lot quicker which help answer questions at a much faster rate. However, through research and examined results, it is likely an experiment done on an animal might actually not benefit humans at all. Most of the testing has been “misleading and resulted in either withholding of drugs…or to the release and use of drugs that, though harmless to animals, have actually contributed to human suffering and death” (Animal Experimentation). Sometimes the only thing that comes out of an experiment is just animal suffering. Animals are used in thousands of studies yet “94% of drugs that pass animal tests fail in human clinical trials” (Animal Testing – ProCon…), which shows how animals have a huge chance of not actually benefitting humans. In many studies animals have given reliable evidence to scientists, and in other studies these animals have only suffered rather than give dependable information.
The last main argument that is brought up about animal experimentation is whether the laws do or don’t protect animal rights. Animals are protected by many laws, including the Animal Welfare Act, which, “as well as stipulating minimum housing standards for research animals (enclosure size, temperature, access to clean food and water, and others), the AWA also requires regular inspections by veterinarians” (Animal Testing – ProCon…). This law was made in order to ensure the rights of animals and keep them in a healthy and safe environment. Some argue that these laws are perfect for the animal tests, giving the animals a comfortable environment. Nevertheless, many agree that this act purposefully creates a law that unprotects most of the animals that are being used in experiments. AWA “specifically excludes rats, mice, and birds bred for research, who constitute 90-95 percent of animals in labs (Harm and Suffering). This act is limited which give animals little to no protection. AWA is a way of keeping animals in a safe and healthy environment, yet also has many loopholes that potentially doesn’t benefit the animals that are being used in experiments. The opinions on animal experimentation will vary from people to people, company to company, and country to country.
Many industries have been known to use animals to test their products and developments. However, many companies have stopped their use of animal experimentation and turned to different methods. Some of the popular companies that have stopped using animals for their test are “Pandora’s Products, Cheeky Cosmetics, and Smashbox Cosmetics” (Search For Cruelty-Free Companies). These places have found alternatives to animal experimentation and found other ways to test their products in effect and efficient manners. Popular companies that have invested time and money into animal testing include “Acuvue, Air Wick, Listerine, Suave, and Windex” (Search for Cruelty...). These companies have recognized the benefits animals provide in testing their work. Their products depend on these animal tests to make sure their products are safe for consumer purchases. Not only do certain companies rely heavily on animal experimentation, but there are many countries that depend on experimentations as well.
Apart from the United States, many countries are home to powerful companies that depend their success on animal experimentation. The European Union is one of the most popular countries that perform experiments on animals. Here, there are over “12 million animals that are officially used in scientific procedures” (International Animal Testing Programs), and this statistic doesn’t take in an account of thousands of animals that are not reported. The European Union has made some changes, however, “in 2013, all animal testing for cosmetics was banned in the EU” (International Animal Testing Programs). The European Union has been known for their tests on animals, but now many of these tests have to meet certain criteria to perform. These programs have had special investigation that help control the amount of animal tests that are done on animals.
Animal experimentation doesn’t only dominate certain programs in the European Union, but it also contributes immensely to hundreds of India’s manufacturing companies. Research has shown that India was home to “dreadful conditions for animals in laboratories… where monkeys were confined alone to rusty, cramped cages for many years in violation of Indian law” (International Animal Testing Programs). India has exposed many of their procedures, which were found to be harsh conditions for animals. However, opinions on animal experimentation throughout India is slowly changing, “the Pharmacy Council of India now recommends the use of superior non-animal tools such as computer-aided education in labs and examinations (International Animal Testing Programs). Animal experimentation is slowly evolving and many opinions are changing. Even though many countries are home to many companies that depend on animal tests, there are many companies that are changing their policies regarding the animals being used. Because of the importance of these animal tests, “the use of animals in experimentation is greatly regulated” (Animal Testing and Medicine). Some companies benefit from these regulations, while others find it difficult to work around. These regulations are kept fair for some companies who trust in animal experimentation. The companies that do not need animal experimentation for their products, have one less restriction to worry about.
Some people find the use of animals in experimentation to be an important tool in understanding science, while many people think that it is morally wrong. For many scientists, it is important to provide safe products to protect the lives of humans. From finding cures of deadly diseases to ensuring safety in medical procedures “the knowledge obtained through this research has positively changed the lives of countless people” (Animal Experimentation: Science…). Even if emotions do play a role in animal experimentation, the lives that are saved and discoveries are found to have a greater emotional impact. However, some companies suggest that using animals is wrong, and how animals are still living creatures just like humans. Many people think animals who are a part of the experimentation programs “languish in pain, ache with loneliness, and long to roam free and use their minds” (Animals Used for Experimentation). Animals who are used in experimentation are not able to do the activities they want to do, and are treated in ways no animals should be treated.
There are thousands of animals that roam this Earth, and a lot of them are used in tests. These animals are either chosen to be a part of these tests in a couple different ways. Animals could be obtained “from auctions, through pound seizure…or from "free to good home" ads” (Animals Used in Research). Not only can you receive animals from these limited locations, but there are also people who work to “purposely breed animals for use in experimentation” (Animals Used in Research). These places are crucial for companies who do rely on their products to be tested on animals. However, pounds and auctions do not necessarily expect people to purchase animals to use for experiments. These places are where companies can make purchases so they can perform their experiments on the animal.
Through this controversial topic, most of it involves the actual experiments being done and whether they hurt the animals or not. There are many different experiments done on animals that are used for research. Many of the experiments done on animals test products to see if they are safe for human use. Eye irritancy test is one of the most common tests done on animals. This test done on rabbits has been known to be unreliable because “the structure of the cornea of the eye of a rabbit differs significantly from that of a human. Rabbits also produce a smaller volume of tears than humans” (Types of Animal Testing). However, alternative tests have been created for replacement of some tests that use animals. Testing products on animals for skin irritation is another popular technique used for companies. Often these tests are inapplicable due to the difference in anatomy between humans and animals. For skin irritation tests, “alternatives have been validated” (Types of Animal Testing) to prevent the need to use animals. Science still uses animals to test products, but action is being taken in finding other ways to test products.
Through research I have learned that there are multiple viewpoints on this subtopic, I have learned that many people aren’t on just one side to the argument, but have looked at animal experimentation through both lenses. Many people believe animal experimentation is essential, but some of these people also believe in finding and substituting alternatives for experimentations. All over the world there are companies using animal experimentation, and all over the world there are people with different reactions towards this subject. I have learned to look at animal experimentation through multiple views. I agree that animal tests are essential for humans and their daily lives, but I would certainly hope research is being done to help provide alternative solutions to animal experimentation. I think this would be a great discovery and would help lead to further investigations on animal experimentation. Animal experimentation is a widely debated subject all over the world which remained hundreds of years ago and will remain for many more years to come.
Works Cited
"Animal Testing - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. <http://animal-testing.procon.org/>.
"Animals Used for Experimentation." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2014. <http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for- experimentation/>.
"Animals Used in Research." - The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2014. <http://www.aavs.org/site/c.bkLTKfOSLhK6E/b.6446369/k.66FC/Animals_Used_in_Research.htm#.U2VHPfldWSo>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/experiments_1.shtml>.
"Harm and Suffering | Animal Use in Research." Harm and Suffering | Animal Use in Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. <http://www.neavs.org/research/harm-suffering>.
"Search for Cruelty-Free Companies | Beauty | Living | PETA." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014. <http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_search.aspx?Donottest=8&Product=0&Dotest=-1&Regchange=-1&Country=-1&Keyword=>.
"Speak Out for Species (S.O.S) - Animals Used in Experiments and Testing." Speak Out for Species (S.O.S) - Animals Used in Experiments and Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. <http://sos.uga.edu/experiments.html>.
"THE USE OF ANIMALS IN PRODUCT TESTING." The Use of Animals in Product Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.navs.org/science/animals-in-product-testing>.
"Types of Animal Testing." - The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014. <http://www.aavs.org/site/c.bkLTKfOSLhK6E/b.6457299/k.82D0/Types_of_Animal_Testing.htm#.U20P6_ldWSo>.
"Vertebrate Journal." Vertebrate Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014. <http://www.vertebratejournal.org/2013/animal-experimentation-science-ethics-and-the-controversy/>.