Animal Testing: Pros And Cons Of Animal Rights

Anna Mari

Paper 3

The statistics about the number of animals that are affected are possibly countless because there are many animals being rescued everyday (Collins). In 1789, the animal protection movement was born. Jeremy Bentham saw a need for animal protection world-wide and thus created the movement. The rally’s call that Jeremy Bentham was involved in for animal protection was “The question is not can they [animals] reason nor can they talk, but can they suffer” Both the United States and Great Britain signed the first “anti-cruelty” laws in Britain (John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health). For the last 50 years, new rules have been created regarding animal cruelty based on people’s newfound opinions for animals changing (Kilroy).

The leading cause of death and disability is diabetes in around 18.2 million people and diabetes also affect cats and dogs. So far incurable, there are medications and treatments to cope with diabetes (“Americans For Medical Progress”). Apparently some doctors disagree. According to UK professor Paul Furlong, animals are not human, so they are poor test subjects especially by cellular or metabolic means. It is difficult to create a similar model to people (“Pros and Cons”). Not only is animal testing time consuming, many animals are used and it is expensive, which is not worth it when 9/10 drugs fail clinical studies do not direct to people even though it helped cure an animal

Around 1975, more animal welfare groups appeared around the world and these programs challenge even using animals for horseback, testing, etc. Some other programs challenge the morality of animal use. (John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health). Animal testing should be last resort if the product can be tested on using alternative testing (Collins). There are around 50 different alternative methods for testing products. When it comes to testing alternatives, there is a system called the 3 R’s. The first is replacing a testing that uses animals, the second is reducing the uses of animals, and the third is refining a procedure to minimize animal pain when testing. Using blood donations, scientists can be used to replace the traditional “pyrogen” tests, testing that involves potentially toxic drugs. Episkin is basically artificial human skin to save rabbits from skin corrosion and irritation tests. The fish threshold method reduces the use of fish when testing chemicals. Reduced local lymph node assay, a type of sensitization test or stimulation test, for skin allergy testing that reduces 75% mice testing. 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity test reduces the uses for rats when testing sunlight sensitivity (Humane Society Of The United States). Another alternative is using computer models and virtual drug trials. Microdosing is when people are given little amounts of the drug