Animal Testing

Animal Testing

As history shows man has endured and overcome many diseases and illnesses. These diseases killed many people and caused many to suffer. Most of these diseases have been cured do to mans medical research. Medical research has improved people’s lives along with increased life expectancy greatly. These medical breakthroughs have helped mankind in many ways, but in order to achieve these advances in medicine many animals suffered through testing. These test done to animals have improved the lives of many humans who would have suffered themselves. The testing of laboratory animals is an acceptable form of medical research. Today laboratory animal testing has come a long way and no longer are animals treated cruelly in testing, the welfare of the animals is a major concern.

There are many concerns for animals’ safety in laboratory testing. The Research Defense Society says that the welfare of animals used in medical research is a major priority of the scientists, vets, and other professionals who perform these tests. This is for the good of the animals and not to mistreat them but also for accurate test results. “If an animal is suffering stress or pain it could affect the results of the research” (Animal Welfare) Animals are housed in the best possibly conditions in order to get reliable results from testing. The zoo community has demonstrated the feasibility and the benefits of maintaining animals in natural habitats. (Bayne) Along with healthy environments the animals used for testing are tested under the three R’s. The three R’s stand for Refinement, Reduction, and Replacement. These three principles are used to regulate the testing of laboratory animals by reducing the number of animals used, refine the ...

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...erous advances in medicine and the many lives animal testing has saved proves that laboratory animal testing is a sound form of medical research. Through animal testing and research, human beings are expected to live longer, healthier, and stronger lives.

Works Cited

“Animal Testing.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-205.html. 10/1/2001

“Animal Research Facts.” http://www.fbresearch.org/micef.html. 10/10/2001

Bayne, Kathryn, and Roy Henrickson. Naturalistic Environment In captivity For Animal

Behavior. Albany, New York. State University of New York Press, 1994

“The Three R’s of animal Testing Alternatives.”

http://www.med.virginia.edu/hs-lirary/newsletter/1995/april/threer.html. 10/10/2001

“Animal Welfare and Regulation.” Research Defense Society.

http://www.rds-online.org.uk/aboutrds/index.html. 9/25/2001