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Animal Testing
Tehreem Irfan (23080) and Zervish Eman (23083)
MBBS 1, Wah Medical College
English: Expository Writing
Ms. Sara Najib
May 31, 2024
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Animal Testing
Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in-
vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables
that affect the behaviour or biological system under study. It is a deeply contentious issue, that
provokes heated debate due to its ethical implications and scientific necessity. Proponents argue
that animal testing is indispensable for medical and scientific progress while opponents of animal
testing argue from both ethical and scientific perspectives by raising concerns about cruelty
towards animals and questioning the effectiveness respectively.
Parenthetical (Stern & Markel, 2005)
Narrative Stern and Markel (2005)
According to the Author(2024), “Around 50-
100 million vertebrates are used in experiments
annually including mammals (mice and rats), fish,
amphibians, and reptiles together accounting for over
85% of research animals.” Experimental research with
A WISTAR LABORATORY RAT
animals is usually conducted in universities, medical
schools, pharmaceutical companies, defence establishments, and commercial facilities that
provide animal testing services to the industry.
The focus of animal testing varies from pure research, focusing on developing
fundamental knowledge of an organism, to applied research, which may focus on answering
questions of great practical importance, such as finding a cure for a disease, and developing
vaccines and antibiotics. For instance, the development of insulin for diabetes treatment and
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the polio vaccine relied heavily on animal research (Barrington, 2024). Without such testing,
many life-saving interventions might not exist today. (How Do I Cite?, n.d.)
An important reason for using animals for testing is that animals share significant
genetic and physiological similarities with humans. Rodents, for example, have a genetic
makeup that closely resembles humans, making them suitable models for studying human
diseases and testing drugs. This biological similarity allows researchers to observe the effects of
treatments in a controlled environment before proceeding to human trials.
Animal testing is also considered as safety testing. Before new drugs and treatments are
deemed safe for human use, they must undergo rigorous testing. Animal testing helps ensure that
these products do not pose undue risks to humans. The Thalidomide tragedy of the 1960s, where
insufficient testing led to severe birth defects, underscores the importance of thorough pre-
clinical testing.
Even with the numerous advantages of clinical testing on animals there still are various
concerns that need to be addressed. The ethical virtues regarding the use of living creatures in
potentially harmful experimentations, that too the result of which can be questionable due to the
different biology of humans and animals in certain aspects more than others.
The use of these living creatures as human experiments undermines their dignity and
intrinsic worth. Each year more than 50 million dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits, rats and other
animals are forced to endure painful experiments in the U.S. These animals are deliberately
sickened with toxic chemicals or infected with diseases, live in barren cages and are typically
killed when the experiment ends.
The results obtained through experiments are not to be 100 per cent effective in the case
of humans, animals might have similar biology to those of humans but not the same. The
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arthritis medication (Vioxx) and weight-loss drugs (fenfluramine) were pulled from the
market after numerous complains of cardiovascular side effects, such as heart attack, stroke,
arrhythmia, and heart diseases. Animal tests had given an all-clear on these.
There are various alternatives to the use of animals, which are much more reliable and
cruelty free. In vitro methods, such as tissue cultures and organ-on-a-chip systems, can mimic
human physiology more accurately. Computational models, powered by artificial intelligence
and big data, can predict human responses to drugs and chemicals with high precision. Human
tissue donations and bioinformatics can also used for the purpose.
While animal testing has historically contributed to significant medical advancements,
the ethical concerns and scientific limitations cannot be ignored. The growing availability of
alternative methods presents a compelling case for reducing and eventually replacing animal
testing. Society must strive for a balanced approach that prioritizes both scientific progress and
the humane treatment of animals. Encouraging investment in alternative research methods and
stricter regulatory frameworks can help transition away from animal testing, fostering a future
where medical research progresses without compromising ethical standards.
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References
Stern, A. M., & Markel, H. (2005). The history of vaccines and immunisation: familiar patterns,
new challenges. Health Affairs, 24(3), 611–621. [Link]
Parenthetical (Stern & Markel, 2005)
Narrative Stern and Markel (2005)
Stern, A. M., & Markel, H. (2005). The history of vaccines and immunisation: familiar patterns,
new challenges. Health Affairs, 24(3), 611–621. [Link]
"Rodents: Biological Models of Human Disease." Nature Reviews Genetics, 2007. [Link]
([Link] (M, 2007) (M, 2007)[Link]/articles/nrg2064).
"The History of Insulin.” [Link]. [Link]([Link]
[Link]).
"The History of Vaccines and Immunization: Familiar Patterns, New Challenges." Health Affairs, 2006.
[Link]([Link]
"The Tragedy of Thalidomide and the Failure of Animal Testing." The BMJ, 2011. [Link]
([Link]
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"Why Are Animals Used in Research?" National Institutes of Health. [Link]([Link]
events/animal-research-why-are-animals-used-research).
“55 Powerful Animal Testing Statistics” We Are All About Pets, 2024. [Link]
([Link]
