Human Testing and Organs-on-a-Chip

2819 Words6 Pages

In this paper, I will defend the usage of organs-on a-chip in medical research as well as the use of humans as test subjects for bio-medical research. My argument is based on the idea that human testing and organs-on-a-chip can potentially improve the field of medical research by reducing the time-frame for obtaining results in combatting against diseases, epidemics, and pandemics. Firstly, I will outline the deficiencies of animal testing and describe how the organs-on-a-chip operates. I will then explain why the use of organs-on-a-chip can yield accurate and timely results which could reduce the impact of disease outbreaks. Following this, I will outline some benefits of human testing. Finally, I will identify the flaws of organs-on-a-chip and elaborate on the negative issues that surround human testing by analyzing the Tuskegee Study. Traditionally, animal testing has been a major component of bio-medical research. It has been a very important tool for modern-day medical scientists, researchers, and epidemiologists who investigate diseases in order to find effective remedies. The discovery of treatments for various infectious, airborne, communicable, and chronic diseases can all be attributed to animal testing. However, there are several fundamental issues that undermine the perceived success of animal testing in bio-medical research. These issues include the following: the time consuming nature of animal testing, the scientific limitations of animal testing, the reliability of animal testing results, the steep economic costs, and the ethical concerns associated with animal testing. The animal testing process involves several phases. In the first phase, animals are given a single dose of a test compound. This phase is known as... ... middle of paper ... ... that have been discovered thus far may not have been found. Although animal testing and organs-on-a-chip both have their advantages and disadvantages, the advantages of the organ-on-a-chip largely outweigh its shortcomings. The opposite applies to animal testing as its flaws significantly outweigh its benefits. When the organ-of-a-chip is compared with animal testing as a tool for medical research, it reveals that the organ-on-a-chip has the potential to yield faster, more accurate results than animal testing. Even though animal testing has led researchers to effective treatments for diseases in the past; the organ-on-a-chip enables researchers to unlock the treatment for many more diseases at a lesser financial cost. Animal testing has a proven track record; but organs-on-a-chip has the potential to a more powerful tool for bio-medical researchers in the future.

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