Animal Testing - a Controversial Issue

Animal testing is a controversial issue within the science community and in society. Some individuals justify that animal testing is fundamental in attaining knowledge of diseases and treatments in humans. Others oppose these views arguing that animal bodies do not react the same and can result in misleading information. They also argue that animals are no different than humans and can feel pain and pleasure and should be afforded the same quality of life as humans.

Many areas of research such as pharmaceutical research and development, use of animals as models for human diseases, surgical skills training or simulation and scientific research institutions as well as universities justifiably benefit from the use of animals for testing and learning (Kehinde, 2013). Animals are exposed to experimentation or put into various conditions that are suited for attaining knowledge about diseases or for testing potential treatments. Numerous animals have been used for testing, namely guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, fish, and mice. Because animals possess a multitude of genetic similarities with humans, scientists believe animal experimentation is important in the furthering of medical science.

Regardless, there is a continuing controversy on the ethics of animal experimentation. Some individuals believe that animal experimentation should cease due to the cruel and immoral practices forced on them as a medium for furthering knowledge when there are other methods available. Consistent with this point of view, an animal has as much rights as a human to live a life devoid of pain and suffering.

Humans and animals both are often exposed to various diseases and/or ailments that can be life-threatening. Scientists and researchers strive to prevent or remedy such ailments. Animals are used as models for an enhanced knowledge base of disease processes and to create new vaccines and medicines. Genetically modified animals, such as mice, have taken the place of the use of primates because the genomes have displayed exceptional similarities. Kehinde states that successful treatment has been established for some types of cancer because of the study of these animals. According to Americans for Medical Progress, animal experiments and research play a crucial role in just about every medical breakthrough for both humans and animals. Genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome and Parkinson disease are studied in mice because they share 94% of its DNA with humans, pigs are used because they have similar skin and cardiovascular systems as humans, and by studying the differences between species great insights are provided (Americans for Medical Progress, 2018)

Basic research on animals may not immediately lead to the discovery of new medicines or procedures, but it does increase the scientific knowledge about the way animals and humans behave. It covers areas such as observational research, psychological mechanisms, and developmental and genetic studies (Kehinde, 2013). Kehinde states that the most important is physiological research because it involves surgical, dietary/drug treatments and cellular/molecular levels that have made significant contributions to the current knowledge about human and animal biology and medicine.

While many individuals believe animals are great models for understanding disease processes in both humans and animals, others disagree. They believe animals and humans are significantly different in terms of their physiology, pathology and their responses to drugs (Balls, 2012). Michael Balls states that not only are animals’ poor models of human diseases but animal tests conducted take little to no account of human genetic variation, of differences in human geographical, societal, occupational or life factors, of the accompanying incidence of other diseases, or of the use of other drugs. Because of these reasons some individuals state that there are too many risks of possible dangerous side effects.

Toxicological studies are mandated to test the safety of chemical compositions that could be potentially detrimental to humans, animals and/or the environment. These tests are conducted on new products such as medicines, household chemicals, industrial chemicals, fungicides, insecticides, and food additives. These tests were manufactured many years ago by science standards that were pertinent at the time. With the modernized science, the tests also need to be improved on.  According to Balls (2012), there is an increasing awareness in the pharmaceutical industry that the experiments and tests on animals are not producing efficient and safe drugs. More than 30% of encouraging medications have fell through in human trials, because they demonstrated to be harmful, regardless of favorable preclinical studies in animals (Balls, 2012). Kehinde (2013) acknowledges that while a broad range of complex methods that do not encompass animals is available and beneficial in pharmaceutical research and development, computer modeling or simulation cannot procure acceptable understanding of new drug toxicity the way animal models can.