Is the Testing of Products on Animals Humane?

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The ethics of animal testing has been debated about since the late 1800s. Human beings feel that they are superior to animals because of the animals’ incapability of reasoning or eloquently expressing themselves like humans can. Animal testing dates as far back as ancient Greek and Roman colonies when people would dissect animals for pure curiosity and the acquirement of knowledge. Vivisections, the act of operating on live animals, occurred later on. Realdo Colombo was infamous for performing vivisection on pregnant dogs. He would take out a fetus from the dog’s womb and torment her young offspring in front of her. Despite the pain the mother dog experienced, she would bark furiously and attempt to reach her offspring. When Colombo gave her the puppy, she would tenderly lick it. This clearly demonstrates that the mother dog was far more concerned about her pup’s condition than her own well-being. This experiment on the pregnant dog is a blatant example of motherly love, which begs the question: Why would a human mother not instinctively act in this way, too? As Jeremy Bentham states, “The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?” (Evans). Testing on animals is inhumane and callous; consequently, it should be abolished. Much controversy surrounds the humanity or inhumanity of using defenseless animals in experiments. Animals endure excruciating pain and suffer harsh conditions when used to test products. Many argue that animals are unable to consent to the tests. They are forced to undergo the pain put upon them and often die or are euthanized when no longer needed. Human beings feel as if they are superior to and more valuable than animals, yet, humans are more similar to chimpanzees than chimp... ... middle of paper ... ... Evans, Kim Masters. "Research Animals." Animal Rights. 2009 ed. N.p.: n.p., 2014. N. pag. Student Resources In Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. Examples of Severe Animal Suffering in Laboratories. Humane Society of the United States, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Haugen, David M., ed. Animal Experimentation. N.p.: Christine Nasso, 2007. Print. Opposing View Points. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Using Animals for Medical Testing Is Unethical and Unnecessary. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Opposing Viewpoints. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Using Animals for Medical Testing May Be Wrong for Scientific Rather than Ethical Reasons. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Professional Laboratory and Research Services Undercover Investigation. PETA, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. A Student Guide to Balancing the Issues. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Animal Experimentation. Web. 1 May 2014. Student Resources. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Animal Cruelty. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.

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