The Negatives of Animal Testing

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Many people may not realize that the majority of products in their own home have been tested on animals; from lipstick and shampoo to dish soap and foot powder. Even the white ink on an M&M has been tested on animals. To some, this statement may be alarming and even disturbing – to others it may not mean much at all. Either way, the debate over animal testing has gained much popularity in recent decades. Animal testing has been done since at least 500 BC; even Aristotle experimented on animals for scientific reasoning. Around 200 AD, dissecting animals in public was actually used as a form of entertainment, people would actually go and watch someone perform a vivisection on an animal. Vivisection is when an organism is dissected while it is still alive (“Animal Testing”). The public did not start objecting animal testing until the 19th century, which was around the time when more people started to adopt domestic pets. In 1875, the first group to protect animals from testing was formed, called the Society for the Protection of Animals Liable to Vivisection (“Animal Testing”). Through the 20th century, companies began testing products on animals before they would be put on the market. It was not until recent years that scientific evidence revealed that animals experience pain much more than what was originally believed. Unfortunately, the agonizing cries of the animals was not convincing enough for the scientists of the past. This is where the animal testing controversy begins (Scott). Animal testing is unnecessary, inhumane, and unreliable. There are many pros and cons that come along with animal testing, but there are usually more cons of animal testing, then there are pros. Animal testing is unnecessary. Some people who are f... ... middle of paper ... ...uct is pulling money from the pockets of these companies and scientists. It is important to be informed on this because people make decisions every day and do not realize that they are supporting animal testing by buying these products. Everyone is involved because they are either supporting it by buying those products, or not supporting it by not buying those products. By being informed on the effects of consumerism has on the welfare of animals, a life can be saved just by buying a different product. Works Cited "Animal Testing." ProConorg Headlines. Animal Testing ProCon, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. . Ferdowsian, Hope R. "Ethical and Scientific Considerations Regarding Animal Testing and Research." EBSCO Animals. EBSCO, Sept. 2011. Web. Mar. 2014. Scott, John Paul. Animal Behavior. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1958. Print

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