Written by: Mihikaa Roy
Edited by: Sofia Gagarin
Animal Testing
Animal testing refers to procedures performed on living animals to research diseases, medicinal products, and the safety of industrial products such as cosmetics or chemicals. Some common animal experiments involve injecting the animals with potentially harmful substances, exposing them to radiation, removing certain organs or tissues, and forcing them to inhale toxic gases. The most common animals used in animal testing include: mice, fish, rabbits, hamsters, dogs, and non-human primates.
History
Animal testing has existed since the beginning of medicine and has led to the creation of many treatments and ailments. Early Greek physician-scientists would use animals for anatomical studies by dissecting them to satisfy any curiosities they would have. Vivisections, the exploratory surgery of live animals, were used to examine the sensory and motor nerves, as well as the tendons to understand how animals function differently.
In the 12th century, these experiments were taken a step further when Ibn Zuhr, an Arabian physician, began using animals to test surgical procedures before implementing them on human patients. At this time, the Christian Church believed that humans and animals did not share a common lineage, thus experimentation did not raise moral controversy.
In the 17th century, there were mixed ideas about experimentation where some people believed that animals could not feel pain, while others acknowledged that animal’s had an ability to feel. Nevertheless, most people still considered the sacrifice of the animals justified as it helped humankind. By the late 17th century and 18th century, even though there was significant scientific advancement from these experiments, moral questions began to arise.
By the 19th century, there was significant opposition to animal experimentation; however, some physicians, such as Francois Megendie, continued to carry on notoriously gruesome procedures on animals. With the discovery of anesthetics, these experiments became more guilt-free. In the 1800’s, Queen Victoria spoke out against animal testing creating a more widespread influence in Europe. In North America, anti-testing sentiments became more popular in the 1900s.
As anti-experimentation notions grew stronger, countries began enacting acts to reduce animal cruelty. In the US, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was established to regulate animal testing in 1966; it required that each research facility has a small committee to address the society’s concern for animal cruelty. Furthermore, more institutions and guides were created to establish a minimum ethical standard.
The Benefits
Even though there is much disagreement and opposition, animal testing continues to be used in the scientific community. Some people continue to believe the historical perception that the sacrifice of animals is justified as they are helping humans, the superior being. Similarly, others argue that it is justified because it is helping “the greater good”. The utilitarianism theory suggests that the experiments are worth conducting if the “happiness” we get from their exploitation is greater than the harm it causes them. Another common argument is that animal testing is necessary for medical advancement. In history, there have been many essential discoveries that have risen from experimentation on animals, thus, they believe we will continue to make progress in science using these experiments.
The Controversy
The more popular opinion in modern times are against animal testing. The most common argument is that the animals are put through both physical and psychological trauma creating a moral issue. They believe that the pain or sacrifice of animals are not justifiable regardless of how important the research findings may be. Even though there are regulations put in place, many of them specifically exempt animals that are tested or have other irregularities causing them to inadequately protect the animals. The animals are also kept in cages restricting their movement and stripping them of their freedom as living organisms.
Furthermore, it is argued that testing on animals is not a good representation of how a particular drug or chemical will impact human beings. Thus, not only are the animals being inflicted to trauma, but the information derived from the experiments are not reliable.
Conclusion
Even though there is much debate about the topic of animal testing, particularly in the medical community, it is essential to thoroughly understand the history and extent of the experiments before determining which side to support. While animal testing is still being used, scientists have found alternative options to conduct research, such as the use of human cells instead of animals. Not only are these methods non-violent, they are also more reliable and pertinent to humans.
Bibliography
About animal testing. (2012, October 21). Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://www.hsi.org/news-media/about/
Animal testing facts and statistics. (2020, November 25). Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/animals-used-experimentation-factsheets/animal-experiments-overview/
P. (2020, March 18). History of animal testing. Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://animal-testing.procon.org/history-of-animal-testing/
Stamm, S. (2015, January 27). Medical testing on Animals: A Brief History. Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://animaljustice.ca/blog/medical-testing-animals-brief-history
What is animal testing? (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/why-we-do-it/what-animal-testing
Zainzinger, V. (2018, May 08). Animal tests surge under new U.S. chemical safety law. Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/05/animal-tests-surge-under-new-us-chemical-safety-law
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