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Should animals be used for medical or scientific research
Should animals be used for medical or scientific research
Should animals be used for medical research
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The growth of the medical research field is a significant development for the human species. New treatments are established to treat many diseases. Although the expansion of the medical research field benefits the human society in many areas, the ethical issue of using animals as testing subjects is often neglected. During this procedure, animals are used to experiment on in the place of humans to ensure the effectiveness of the discoveries and treatments. These processes are not always successful and therefore will often cause excessive pain and distress to the animals. Many animals suffer greatly and may even result in death. It is morally wrong to cause pain or distress to animals in the course of medical research because animals should have the right for welfare and live a pleasurable life thus; we should not harm them during the research process. In this paper I will defend this argument and provide a discussion on this issue by providing arguments supporting my thesis and as well as addressing a counterargument. During the course of medical research, animals are being deployed in painful ways and used in many experiments to test new discoveries or treatments. It is morally wrong to harm and cause pain or distress to animals in any way during the course of medical research because animals are part of the moral society and therefore should be treated with equity and respect. According to the theory of utilitarianism, the act is moral if it yields the results of pleasure and no pain and produces the greatest goods for the greatest number of people where everyone counts equally in society. According to Jeremy Bentham’s version of utilitarianism, everyone is counted and valued equally in society and this includes animals as well. (Collier & Haliburton, 2011, p. 5-6) Even if the uses of animal testing in medical research produce goods for the society in terms of
There is a moral blind spot in the treatment of animals that enable us to justify the cruelties for the perceived benefits of humans. Animals are living things. They have lungs which breathe, hearts which beat, and blood that flows. In fact, animals sense of smell, sight, and sound is much more acute than our own. Therefore, we can assume that their sensitivity to pain is at least equal to ours. According to Hippocrates, “The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.” This can go with the Duty Theory that states that every individual gets treated the same. The intentions of animal testing is not to harm the animals, but that is exactly what it does.
For centuries scientists have used animals to study the causes of diseases; to test drugs, vaccines and surgical techniques; and to evaluate the safety of chemicals used in pesticides, cosmetics and other products. However, many scientists amongst animal- right activists forbid the use of animals in scientific research regardless how many illnesses are eliminated through the use of animals in scientific research. Amongst animal right activists, David Suzuki also raises concerns towards animal experimentation. In his article, The Pain of Animals, Suzuki argues that humans have no right to exploit animals because--much like humans--animals also experience pain. In contrast to Suzuki, Haldane, in his article, Some Enemies of Science, argues because animals are very similar to humans, scientists have no choice but to use animals in scientific experiments. Both authors greatly contrast their opinions towards animal experimentation; however Haldane has a more explanatory approach towards animal experimentation. He argues animal experimentation should be acceptable because other forms of animal exploitation are acceptable in society. Secondly, unlike other forms of exploitation which seek pleasure in killing animals such as leisure sport, scientists, most likely do not harm animals; if pain is intended on an animal it is strictly for the purpose of scientific advancement. Thirdly, although, animal experimentation may cause some extinction, it is only one of many other causes of extinction, if other causes are not condemned; then neither should animal experiment...
Every year about 100 million animals suffer through being poisoned, shocked, and burned for unsuccessful medical research. Some may believe that animal testing is a crucial part to medical research and should be used more frequently. Others believe the pain and suffering inflicted upon the animals is morally wrong and should not be done, no matter what benefits come from it.
According to an article by PETA, “experiments on animals are cruel, expensive and generally inapplicable to humans” (PETA 1). This shows how not only many laboratories and companies that use animals in their experiments are wasting money and time, but also wasting countless lives of animals. As a human, one does not have to suffer through unconsenting pain because no one would ever consent to be treated the way lab rats would be treated. A study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that” medical treatments developed in animals rarely translated to humans” (Hackam, Redelmeier 1). This being said, it is not easy to comprehend why animal testing continues. However, as a community people think that “the benefits to humans does not justify the harm to animals” (Hajar 1). This goes to show how people who are pro-animal testing, marginalize the damage animal testing is doing to animals. While some may say that there needs to be alternative methods to animal testing, others may say that without animal testing it would be harder to test out new products for humans. Yet, with the information given by doctors Hackam and Redelmeier, it is clear to see that the use of animals is no longer
Beginning in ancient times, animals were experimented on out of pure curiosity, and people did not understand how different systems really worked. Today, we have an undeniable understanding of the body’s functions and metabolism, proving that this practice is becoming increasingly unreliable, expensive, and above all: cruel. For centuries, innocent animals such as rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, cats, dogs, and primates have been used for man’s own selfish wants. In modernity, “an estimated 26 million animals are used and slaughtered every year due to animal research.” (“Should Animals Be Used for Scientific or Commercial Testing?”, 1). For some, animal research is the image of medical breakthroughs. For others, the mere thought brings the image of animals being locked in cages, starved, alone, and in pain. Animals’ rights are commonly ignored, and malpractice is often hidden from the public eye.Widely believed to bring medical gain, animal testing is cruel, inhumane, and costly. This practice is a flawed system that should be bypassed at all conceivable costs.
An ongoing conflict among the human species is that of animal cruelty, whether it be by scientific experiments, tests, or research. I frequently wonder, do the individuals performing these atrocious tasks ask themselves if what he/she is doing is ethically correct? I believe that it is not right to treat animals in such an inhumane manner, but to treat them as our own kind, for they are clever, spirited beings. These helpless animals cannot defend themselves against abuse. In my opinion, it is morally appropriate to grant the same rights to animals as we human beings acquire and to end, or even just to minimize, animal cruelty in laboratories. Although there have been some benefits of animal testing for medical prospect, alternative methods exist and may even be more effective.
According to several studies, animals have played a crucial role in medical advancement over the last century. The article “Alas, Animal Experiments are Still Needed,” explains that animals have been used for testing the safety of drugs and vaccines from common pain-killers to anti-cancer treatment. The article points out, “They may not be perfect and human trials are also vital, but without animals medical advances would seriously be hampered” (qtd. in “Alas” P2). The article suggests that animals are crucial to medical research because they test the safety of a drug. While it may be true that animals play a vital role in experiments, in reality, some animals do not get a second chance to live and have fun because if they are harmed, recovery takes time and is not guaranteed. The website People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) explains that nine out of ten (92%) drugs and vaccines that are tested on animals work for them, yet fail in human clinical trials. The author mentions, “They argue the potential benefits ...
Medical testing on animals is a very controversial topic that touches almost every individual's life whether they realize it or not. 16 million diabetic people enjoy life they would otherwise not have if it weren't for the dogs, rabbits, and, fish that endured tests to help scientists discover treatments and produce insulin.
Throughout history, animals have been used in experiments to test product safety and obtain medical knowledge that benefits both humans and animals alike. Every year there are numerous medical breakthroughs, such as medications and surgical instruments, which are tested on animals to insure their safety before they are deemed acceptable for human use. Even though the results of the experiments saved millions of human lives, they are also killing millions of innocent animal lives in the process. The use of animals for scientific experimentation purposes is unnecessary because countless animals are put through painful procedures in order to benefit humans lives when there are known alternative methods for achieving the same experimental results.
Millions of animals are used to test consumer products, but they also become victims of experiments for medical research. In The Ethics of Animal Research (2007) both authors state that there have been many medical advances with the development of medicines and treatments as a result of research conducted on animals (para 1). These medical improvements have helped many people be able to enjoy life, but some people still believe that animal research is mean and avoidable .... ... middle of paper ... ...
Although it has been proven that a lot of good has come out of animal research and animal testing, this does not make up for all the pain and suffering that these animals go though without being able to consent. The truth still remains that, despite the benefits (when there are benefits), perhaps we need to contemplate the effects that our actions are having on these animals.
Every year, millions of animals experience painful, suffering and death due to results of scientific research as the effects of drugs, medical procedures, food additives, cosmetics and other chemical products. Basically, animal experimentation has played a dominant role in leading with new findings and human advantages. Animal research has had a main function in many scientific and medical advances in the past decade and is helping in the understanding of several diseases. While most people believe than animal testing is necessary, others are worried about the excessive suffering of this innocent’s creatures. The balance between the rights of animals and their use in medical research is a delicate issue with huge societal assumptions. Nowadays people are trying to understand and take in consideration these social implications based in animals rights. Even though, many people tend to disregard animals that have suffered permanent damage during experimentation time. Many people try to misunderstand the nature of life that animals just have, and are unable to consider the actual laboratory procedures and techniques that these creatures tend to be submitted. Animal experimentation must be excluded because it is an inhumane way of treat animals, it is unethical, and exist safer ways to test products without painful test.
Animals benefit humans many ways; food sources, entertainment, and cosmetic testing are all examples,one of the most important is through medical research and experimenting. In the past dogs have aided to our discovery of insulin, monkeys have helped us find the vaccine for polio, and mice have helped us discover the vaccine for rabies. Today pigs are used in some cases for skin grafts for burn victims. But should have we done this and should we continue? Although these advancements in medicine by use of animals has benefited humans, many people still oppose the use of animals for these purposes. A great deal of these people argue it is morally wrong for animals to be used for medical purposes because it often causes pain, shortened life spans, and emotional distress .”For nearly a century, drug and chemical safety assessments have been based on laboratory testing involving rodents, rabbits, dogs, and other animals. Aside from the ethical issues they pose—inflicting both physical pain as well as psychological distress and suffering on large numbers of
Animals are used in research to develop new medicines and for scientists to test the safety of the medicines. This animal testing is called vivisection. Research is being carried out at universities, medical schools and even in primary and elementary schools as well as in commercial facilities which provide animal experiments to industry. (UK Parliament) In addition, animals are also used in cosmetic testing, toxicology tests, “defense research” and “xenotransplantation”. All around the world, a huge amount of animals are sentenced to life in a laboratory cage and they are obliged to feel loneliness and pain. In addition scientists causing pain, most drugs that pas successfully in animals fail in humans. It is qualified as a bad science. Above all, animals have rights not to be harmed even though the Animal Welfare Act does not provide them even with minimal protection. The law does not find it necessary to use current alternatives to animals, even if they are obtainable. Animal testing should be banned due to animal rights, ethical issues, alternative ways and the unreliability of test results in humans.
What if you were told that today’s new drugs are yesterday’s news? What emotion would it stir in you? Every year the production of dozens of promising new medications are delayed, sometimes indefinitely, seemingly without a second thought. Was a major flaw found? No. Surprisingly, the delay hinges on the copious amount of animal testing that must be successful in each round before the drug reaches the stage where human trials are acceptable. Should an animal’s reaction to a potentially lifesaving drug be a deciding factor on the drugs fate? How about the fate of a patient?