StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done humanely or is it by nature inhumane - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Indeed, animal testing plays an important role in determining the appropriate course of action for biological diseases and ailments. Given the…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93% of users find it useful
Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done humanely or is it by nature inhumane
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done humanely or is it by nature inhumane"

Humane animal testing has been a scientific concern for as long as scientific research has promised cures to human health problems. Indeed, animal testing plays an important role in determining the appropriate course of action for biological diseases and ailments. Given the importance of scientific research on animals within a laboratory, the question then becomes how much inhumanness humankind is willing to accept before it gives up on the medical breakthroughs that animal testing provides. It seems that, in the past, mankind was not willing to give up animal testing because much more relaxed standards on what a researcher could do to his animal were in place that allowed for very torturous acts to be undertaken in the name of science.

It is extreme cases like that which prompt modern opposition to animal testing. However, research institutions much more tightly regulate live animal testing today in order to protect the interests of animals when they are being tested, and there is no reason to believe that animal testing cannot be conducted in a humane fashion.Animal testing endures a great number of regulations in order to protect the interests of animals. At Stanford University, scientists adhere to the Animal Welfare Act and must submit proposals for how they will use their animals in experimentation.

This requires a researcher to think beforehand about the best way to use his animal resources to achieve his intended outcome, and this allows other scientists to criticize that method if it is cruel. Scientists also sit down to discuss concepts of cruelty and the appropriate use of animals in a laboratory (Stanford News Service). With grant money depending on these scientists’ abilities to understand and apply these concepts of humane treatment, there is a strong incentive to treat animals with a measure of respect they have not been given in centuries prior.

The Canadian Council on Animal Care proposes additional practical ways in which animal tested can be conducted humanely, summarized as the “three R’s” (CCAC). The first “R” refers to “replacement,” or the preferred use of an inanimate system or model instead of a live animal model. Cell and tissue cultures are sometimes even better than a full-scale live animal model because there are fewer variables to consider. “Reduction” is the second “R,” which means decreasing the number of animals used in experimentation.

This is a good scientific practice anyway, regarding the number of confounding genetic variables that may arise in a larger population. Lastly, “Refinement,” the third “R,” refers to changing some aspect of the experiment that results in the death or pain, stress, and distress of animals. Early endpoint is an example of a method a researcher may use to refine his or her experiment. Each of these strategies represents not only a humane way of conducting scientific research, but also a more effective and reliable way of conducting research.

Although there are methods in place for researchers, one may argue, how do we know that they actually follow them? First, it should be noted that the same ethical principles do not apply to all scientists and that there is a wide variability in how scientists treat their live animal subjects. With that said, however, scientific researchers should be entrusted to conduct their work in a humane fashion, even if they do not live up to this ideal at times. For non-scientists, we do not expect moral perfection at all times or even at most times.

For scientific researchers, it is clear that animal testing can be conducted humanely, with respect for animals; however, pointing to cases of animal abuse is an unproductive exercise that equates the extreme with the usual.Animal testing can be conducted humanely and with respect for the test subjects. Live animals provide an important tool for scientific researchers as they attempt to understand and potentially cure diseases. To remove this tool is a hazard both to humans and to animals themselves, who may benefit from such research.

There are numerous regulations and strategies in place to prevent inhumane treatment of animals during scientific research. Although one may object that some especially cruel scientists may eschew these rules, this is not an argument against research on animals as such, but an unproductive argument against science as such. Our true focus should be on saving human and animal lives by replacing, reducing, and refining experiments, but using animals when it is necessary.Works CitedCCAC. "CCAC training module on: the Three Rs of humane animal experimentation." 2005. Canadian Council on Animal Care.

10 October 2011 .Stanford News Service. "Animal research at Stanford: How do we know its done humanely?" 15 October 1992. Stanford News Service. 10 October 2011 .

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done Essay”, n.d.)
Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1581583-can-the-animal-testing-done-to-find-cures-for-diseases-be-done-humanely-or-is-it-by-nature-inhumane
(Can the Animal Testing Done to Find Cures for Diseases Be Done Essay)
Can the Animal Testing Done to Find Cures for Diseases Be Done Essay. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1581583-can-the-animal-testing-done-to-find-cures-for-diseases-be-done-humanely-or-is-it-by-nature-inhumane.
“Can the Animal Testing Done to Find Cures for Diseases Be Done Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1581583-can-the-animal-testing-done-to-find-cures-for-diseases-be-done-humanely-or-is-it-by-nature-inhumane.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Can the animal testing done to find cures for diseases be done humanely or is it by nature inhumane

Animal testing why and why not

Will Smith's movie I Am Legend featured rats that were being used for animal testing.... Will Smith's movie I Am Legend featured rats that were being used for animal testing.... This is why the issue of animal testing has become such a big controversy in modern times.... animal testing is not only limited to vertebrates.... As reiterated by animal research followers, if the experiment is not for the common good, animal testing is not allowed....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Buddhism Reasonings on the Protection of Animal Rights

Behind every non-vegetarian dish prepared, the curse and anguish of the animal killed is bound to be there.... Some Buddhism Reasoning's on the Protection of Animal Rights; April 16, 2007 Cruelty to animals is barred as a religious practice as well and such practice has profound meaning from the point of view of protecting nature.... The author has taken a realistic and balanced look at the problem and has emphasized the need to establish a better relationship with animal and bird kingdom, as they are part of nature and serve a cause for harmony and human happiness....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Children who are affected and impacted by their parents with aids

AIDS, unfortunately, had been one of the very major problems facing the world in recent decades, without much of a cure in sight yet.... In developing and developed countries both people are affected and developed countries manage it better than the developing countries.... hellip; This is quite natural considering the resources on hand....
20 Pages (5000 words) Essay

Testing Drugs On Animals

Research on animals may be deemed necessary for a variety of reasons: to develop vaccines and treatments and cures for diseases, to ensure that new products are safe to use.... Those who support animal testing may care deeply about animals but don't place them on an equal status with humans.... Arguments against animal testing may also question the morality, the necessity, or the validity of these studies.... the animal rights issue is an emotional one....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

For or against animal testing

The core question remains, is… It cannot be denied that science has attained progress through the use of animal testing.... The European Forum of Good Clinical Practice had organized a An Argument For animal testing There is a raging debate on the use of animals for scientific research and testing.... It cannot be denied that science has attained progress through the use of animal testing.... A member from the European Parliament, representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, the animal protection group, the ethics committee and patients, all came to a common ground central to the ethical principles of doing no harm to the human participants and avoiding animal testing whenever possible....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The Non-organic Foods

Initially, farming was a lifestyle practice and production processes focused on subsistence farming.... However, in the era of industry and technology, the situation is completely… High demand in the industry posed by increasing the world's population has led to commercialization of the practice....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Animal Testing: The Animal Rights Debate

The writer of the essay "animal testing" suggests that using animals in testing has more benefits than using human beings.... hellip; animal testing has contributed immensely in coming up with life-saving cures and treatments.... animal testing has also contributed to understanding how to treat malaria, Leukemia, and other major diseases....  animal testing animal testing has contributed immensely incoming up with life-saving cures and treatments....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Should Animals Be Used in Medical Research

The use of animal experimentation has enabled the medical community to assist in the prevention, cure or treatment of numerous diseases and viruses.... diseases could not be effectively controlled or prevented, no vaccines developed for viruses and less effective treatment for illnesses.... Medical research carried out on animals is of utmost importance as the results it produces helps to prevent and cure human diseases, which may be fatal if vaccines are not produced from this research....
10 Pages (2500 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us