However different people perceive animals of all types as being exploited in cosmetic companies and research facilities worldwide. Using animals to test the safety of drugs and in research has resulted in several reactions and debates for decades. Undoubtedly, people have different opinions and feelings for different types of animals. While some view animals as companions and pets, others look at animals differently: as objects to conduct experimental research and advance medical techniques. Although humans have many advantages from using animals for scientific research, animals suffer pain and death. Additionally, there are notable differences between animals and humans, and this would affect the efficiency of getting the desired outcome from using animal specimens for scientific research. For these reasons, animals should not be used for scientific research.
Firstly, the suffering and pain of animals used for scientific research experience are not worth the possible benefits humans benefit from. Animals experience pain the same way humans experience since their reactions to pain are similar. The same way humans scream when subjected to pain is similar to humans. Animal pain is an emotional and unpleasant -experience that can damage tissue (Dodds and Orlans 129). Using animals for scientific research involves toxic drugs likely to affect the animals negatively. Additionally, these tests are excruciating and scare the animals, and animals’ deaths are usually the result. Due to these adverse effects that animals go through, using them for scientific research should be stopped immediately.
Secondly, there are alternatives to using animals for scientific research. Natural products such as fruits can be used since no life is lost. Additionally, researchers can come up with synthetic skin to be used rather than using animals. With this artificial skin, researchers can test the impact of products or damage the product can have on human skin (Festing and Robbin 527). These alternatives have been found reliable and valuable, saving animals from the danger of death. Therefore, using live animals is unnecessary since these alternatives are available and effective.
Thirdly, with notable differences between animals and humans, using animals for scientific research may fail to predict human outcomes. Due to the differences in anatomy, metabolism, and physiology between animals and humans, using animals for scientific research may fail to give the needed outcome (Festing and Robin 530). For example, some drugs are therapeutic to animals but harmful to humans. Additionally, though some animals are in the same species as humans, there can be disparities in breeds, sexes, weight, and age. Rather than using these animals and threatening their life, yet a positive outcome is not guaranteed, researchers should opt for alternatives since animal lives matter too.
Opposers have valid concerns about why animals should be used for scientific research. Though animals play a minimal role in scientific research, they are vital in research. Research has shown that using animals for scientific research has led to medical development. Additionally, through animals, scientists have advanced their knowledge of animal and human health (Jamieson and Tom 270). However, it is unethical to kill animals to use animals for scientific research because this would cost them their life. It is also expensive because these animals are first purchased, housed, and fed.
In summary, would it not be unfair to cause death to animals just for our good? Animals and humans are both living organisms, and their lives are essential. Using animals for scientific purposes and then leaving them to die is one of the painful experiences they have to go through. Therefore, it should be the duty and responsibility of all individuals to advocate for the life of these animals. In unison, let us all resist using animals for scientific research.
Work Cited
Dodds, W. Jean, and F. Barbara Orlans, eds. “Scientific perspectives on animal welfare.” 2013.
Festing, Simon, and Robin Wilkinson. “The ethics of animal research: talking point on the use of animals in scientific research,” EMBO reports 8.6 2007: 526–530. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/sj.embor.7400993
Jamieson, Dale, and Tom Regan. “On the Ethics of the Use of Animals in Science.” Ethical Issues in Scientific Research. Routledge, 2015. 267–302. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203765135-21/ethics-use-animals-science-dale-jamieson-tom-regan
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