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Should animals be used in testing new drugs and
procedures?
Animal Testing
There is no alternative
Every day, thousands of people are saved from
painful diseases and death by powerful medical drugs and
treatments. This incredible gift of medicine would not be possible without
animal testing. Despite these
overwhelming benefits, however, some people are calling for animal testing to be
banned because of alleged cruelty. This essay will examine arguments for and
against animal testing.
Those against the use of animal testing claim that it is
inhumane to use animals in experiments. I
disagree completely. It would be much more inhumane to test new drugs on
children or adults. Even if it were possible, it would also take much longer to
see potential effects, because of the length of time we live compared to laboratory
animals such as rats or rabbits.
Opponents of animal testing also claim that the results are
not applicable to humans. This may be partly true. Some drugs
have had to be withdrawn, despite testing. However, we simply do not have
alternative methods of testing. Computer models are not advanced enough, and
testing on plants is much less applicable to humans than tests on
animals such as monkeys. Until we have a better system, we must use animal
testing.
A further point often raised against animal testing is that
it is cruel. Some of the tests certainly seem painful, but the great
majority of people on this planet eat meat or wear leather without any guilt. Where is their sympathy
for animals? Furthermore, animals clearly do not feel the same way as humans,
and scientists are careful to minimize stress in the animals,
since this would damage their research.
I agree that we need to make sure that
animals who are used for testing new products have the minimum of
suffering. However, I am convinced that animal testing is necessary, and
that it will continue to benefit humans in new and wonderful ways.
311 words
What do you want to do now?
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