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Emily Dunham
Professor Salgat
English 111-24
10 November 2014
The Fabrications of Animal Testing
There are many subjects that are controversial enough to force people to strongly express
their beliefs. Animal testing, however, is raised to another level of debate. Groups like PETA are
formed by extremists, willing to voice their opinion about animal testing. They show gruesome,
dramatic photos of malnourished and beaten animals to help them grab the emotions of their
audience. However, are these photos accurate? Does animal testing really consist of abusing
animals to the most extreme approach? As the facts of scientific breakthroughs prove, animal
testing is a safe and effective method to advance scientific research as it allows the treatment of
illnesses to effectively treat and cure humans.
Animal testing, formally known as vivisection, is the practice of experimenting on
animals to develop solutions and understanding to medical issues. It is a way in which medical
treatments can be tested before administering the treatments to humans. Using animals as test
subjects is not a new practice it has been an ongoing exercise for many centuries. Animal
testing can date as far back as 304 B.C; Greek physicians were among the first group of people
to perform such testing (Hajar). As scientific and drug research began to expand, so did the need
for animals as test subjects. The twentieth century became the era when animal testing was most
substantial, which led to more controversy over the subject. This became a continuous issue, as
animal research became an enormous basis for criticism.
Animals are used in experimental studies because of their similarity with humans.
Although humans and animals do not have the exact same genetic make-up, the comparison is

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significantly similar. This helps give scientist a realistic model in the lab. The animals used for
testing usually include rodents, including mice and rats. However, fish, birds, and larger
mammals are also sometimes used. Unlike what many people believe, animal subjects are treated
very well. All the animals used must be properly cared for, including well fed and proper
housing. Pain is very minimal in the animals as pain killers are given when appropriate.
However, most of the experiments consist of injections or small blood samples (FAQS).
Regardless of what others may say, animals used in research are well taken care of because of
the professional scientists and minimal experimental pain.
In an interview with Dr. John Young, a veterinarian from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's
animal research facility, he provides examples of what the inside of his research facility consists
of. The animals within his facility include mice, rats, pigs, zebra fish, and dogs. The mice are
used to find new treatments for prosthetics and breast cancer, and to unlock the mysteries of
Down syndrome, Dr. Young explains. The pigs are used for research of cardiovascular disease,
the zebra fish are used for research of pituitary cancer, and the dogs are used for research to treat
heart failure patients (Young). Each animal is dealt with by professionals, including veterinarians
and techs within his facility. Every scientist and researcher has absolute justification for their
testing, as well as a detailed, thought-out plan. These steps and procedures help verify the
amount of safety and regulation involved in this practice.
Later, Dr. Young then goes on to talk further about the regulations within animal
research. The dogs used in his facility are very well taken care of. They are allowed to play
outside every day, and are constantly getting human interaction, which is extremely important
and healthy for all animals. He also says his facility uses humans as subjects for their research in
addition to the animals. There are actually more regulations that apply to the use of animals in

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medical research then there are for the use of human subjects in human research, explains
Young. This further verifies the precautions doctors must take to ensure the well-being of the
animals. All the animals used for research are anesthetized and receive minimal pain, and the
testing rooms are clean and well taken care of (Young). Dr. Young explains that many of the
researchers within his facility are practicing physicians, who diagnose and treat diseases. They
use their prior knowledge to care for the animals, as well as study diseases. We have [only]
compassionate people caring for the animals, Young concludes.
There are many people who strongly disagree with the practice of animal testing,
including groups like PETA and the Humane Society. These groups believe vivisection is an
unnecessary practice, and they openly express their opinion on the extreme, harmful abuse the
animals are put through as test subjects. They tend to believe the animals are imprisoned and put
through stressful situations. Even pets used for harmless observation in elementary school
settings are frowned upon by these groups. They are also quick to conclude that animal research
is not necessary, and medical advancements would have been made without this practice. The
alternatives brought about this subject include Epidemiological studies, the study of naturally
occurring diseases, in vitro research, experimental human cell cultures, and clinical studies,
involving living human beings (Alternatives). However, animal research and its improvements
evidences these accusations to be wrong.
Although animal testing has a horrible reputation for being inhumane, it has proven to be
a safe process that provides minimal pain to the animals. The entire experimental process is
completed by credible and reliable professionals, either scientists, physicians, or veterinarians.
There are also many precautions taken before and during the experimental process. The animals
must be properly cared for, before, during, and after all of the experiments. Because most

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experiments only consist of injections, pain is often extremely minimal. However, if some
animals show any signs of suffering, they are immediately given painkillers. Some causes of
suffering may include the studies of diseases such as arthritis and cancer (FAQS). Although
these problems are possible during animal testing, they are rare.
Another way to reduce the risk of harm to animal subjects is found during the testing of
new developing drugs. This testing process includes three stages. First, the drugs are tested by
using either a computer model or human cells kept in labs. Only when the drug passes the first
test does the drug become administered to animals. During this second step, the animals are
closely observed and checked for any signs of abnormal side-effects. Lastly, the drugs that
passed the animal testing are used in clinical trials. Because the drugs must first pass the human
cell tests or computer model, the animals chance of being harmed is greatly diminished. This
also allows for more accurate findings, which is extremely important for the safety of humans.
An additional argument groups like PETA make is that of animal testing not being
necessary for scientific research. However, as many scientific findings and developments prove,
the practice of animal testing is a very crucial part of todays research. It has led to many
incredible medical breakthroughs that would not have been possible without it. Furthermore, it
continues to help cure numerous diseases as well as improve the health of humans lives. The
practice also importantly confirms the safety of drugs before they are administered to humans.
For example, some humans have been harmed from drugs, including Thalidomide and
Sulfanilamde, because they had not yet been tested by the use of animals (Hajar). Without this
practice, many unsafe drugs would be improperly administered, therefore, scientific research
would experience a huge setback.

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The mere fact that animal testing has led to the development of so many cures and
vaccines to illnesses
and diseases provides
enough evidence for
the importance of
retaining it. Figure 1
names many of the
significant vaccines
and treatments animal
research has
contributed to over
time. As this figure
shows, this type of
Fig. 1. Medical Benefits of Animal Research for Animals and Humans.
"Medical Benefits." Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research. N.p., n.d.
Web. 16 Nov. 2014.

research has provided

information and benefits for not

only humans, but animals as well. Vaccine developments are an important contribution to the
medical society. Because of vaccines, some diseases like smallpox and polio are now
nonexistent. As animal research has contributed to the development of many of these vaccines,
the result has led to millions of human lives as well as animal lives being saved.
The second list in Figure 1 involves the knowledge doctors have gained in diseases and
illnesses due to the research of animal testing. This is extremely critical to the health of human
beings. Doctors are now able to treat various patients by prescribing medicine for hundreds of
different sicknesses. These many health ailments may be every day occurrences, and because of

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the advanced knowledge animal testing has given doctors, these ailments are now much more
manageable, treatable, and even curable. In addition, this information also allows doctors to
teach their patients how to better take care of themselves. With humans responsibly and
effectively treating themselves and positively contributing to their own health, it causes a society
to be much healthier and more knowledgeable. Overall, this information has drastically improved
the lives of millions of human beings.
In addition to the improvement of humans lives is the improvement of the health of
animals. Many people believe the testing of animals is used only as a benefit to human beings. In
reality, however, animals benefit from this testing just as much as humans do. As figure 1 shows,
research has led to the development of many vaccines and treatments. The importance of the
health of animals is substantial. If the health of animals was consistently poor, many of them
would have short life spans. Farm animals, including cattle, hogs, or chickens, which had poor
health and short lifespans, would quickly become a big problem. Farm animals serve as a vast
part of human nutrition. Without good nutrition, humans would then too become sick and
unhealthy, and the cycle involving animals and humans would continue. Having good health is
not only important to them, the animals, but to humans as well.
As stated earlier, research being performed by the use of animals has been exercised for
many years. Because of these studies, the benefits started to become evident very quickly. One of
the first medical breakthroughs using animal research was the discovery of an immunization for
the deadly illness, diphtheria, in 1913 (Timeline). Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the upper
respiratory system. In 1888, scientists proved that the liquid which held the bacteria
Corynebacterium diphtheriae caused the same effects as the illness Diphtheria (Timeline). It was
shown by the injection of the liquid into animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, and dogs. A

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toxin in the bacteria was the cause of the effects from the liquid, and later became treatable from
an antiserum. In 1891, the same antiserum was used to treat and cure the illness of a girl who
also suffered from the toxin. In the 1900s, however, deaths were still prevalent from Diphtheria,
and there was a great need for a vaccine. By mixing the toxin and antitoxin, a scientist was able
to produce lasting immunity from the illness in animals (Timeline). This known immunity
allowed for the first immunization in humans, allowing for the illness to be controlled and cured.
Later, in 1967, came another incredibly crucial medical breakthrough the heart
transplant. Scientists in the United States, as well as South Africa, investigated heart transplant
research in dogs. The very first transplant procedure in dogs was conducted in 1958, and was
later developed in 1961 (Timeline). Within the next ten years, the transplant in dogs was proving
to be successful. Many of the dogs were able to return to their full health while living longer,
healthier lives (Timeline). Following dogs was the heart transplant of human beings. In 1967, a
surgeon from South Africa conducted the first heart transplant procedure in a human. Shortly
after in 1968, transplants were being performed in the United States, but needed further research
as the patients died soon after the procedure. However, by 1980, 65% of patients survived,
followed by todays transplants where 95% of patients survive (Timeline). This incredible
practice is carried out successfully every day, and would not have been possible without the
research and studies first completed on animals.
The third way opposing sides argue against animal testing is with the alternative types of
research. Although animal testing has proved for centuries to be the most effective method,
others argue there are better, more humane ways for research. However, it is believed by many
scientists that animal testing is unable to be replaced, especially with biomedical research (Alt
Web). One suggested alternative is the use of clinical studies. It is claimed that some humans are

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willing to be a part of drug or treatment experimentations. Even if this were true, how would
human testing be any more humane than animal testing? Although animal testing may have a bad
reputation, it is imperative research and is needed for further scientific progress. As Dr. Phil
Stephens, a cell biologist from Cardiff University states, There is a difference between suffering
for the sake of cruelty and suffering as a consequence of medical research (Fulkerson).
A second suggested alternative to the testing of animals is stem cell research. Although
this type of research has offered different ways of treating diseases, it has many ethical
suspicions as well. Stem cell research involves the destruction of human embryos. Because it is
unclear when a human actually begins its life, some people believe an embryo has already
formed a living human being (Lo). As a result of this issue, is it has also been a hugely
controversial way of testing. Because this testing has many controversial issues, like animal
testing, it would not serve as a sufficient alternative. In addition to the controversy, the
researching of stem cells also has medical setbacks. Dr. Bernard Lo, from the University of
California-San Franciscos medical ethics program, states The risks of innovative stem cellbased interventions include tumor formation, immunological reactions, unexpected behavior of
the cells, and unknown long-term health effects (Lo). If stem cell research were able to
completely replace the use of animals in scientific studies, it would still have the same debatable
effect on the public, which would not resolve the problem of controversy within testing.
The importance of animal testing is one that should not be ignored. When looking at the
reality of how beneficial this practice is, it is evident how much the use of animals is needed to
successfully provide effective research. Although this evidence proves to be strong and definite,
groups like PETA are extremely against the practice. These groups tend to think only about the
animals and their safety, not the quality of the scientific findings. It is also proved that the

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animals are treated professionally and respectfully. Yet, the extremists against the practice
continue to speak out. They expose violent, falsified stories to attract others by the vulnerability
of their emotions. In reality, regardless of the malicious attention animal testing is given by those
who oppose the practice, it has been proven to be an essential and beneficial part of todays
scientific research.

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Works Cited
"Alt Web Facts." Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. N.p., 2014. Web. 13 Nov.
2014.
"Alternatives to Animal Testing and Research." In Research | Alternatives to Animal Testing and
Research. N.p., 7 July 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Fulkerson, Nathan. Testing on Animals Leads to Important Medical Breakthroughs. Northern
Star Online. N.p., 6 Apr. 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2014
Hajar, Rachel. Animal Testing and Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. N.p., Jan.
2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.
"FAQs." Understanding Animal Research. N.p., 22 July 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
Laissouf, Ayoub. Animal Testing Shouldnt be banned. Academia.edu. N.p., 12 Oct. 2013.
Web. 28 Oct. 2014
Lo, Bernard. "Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research." US National Library of Medicine. N.p., 30
May 2009. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
"Medical Benefits." Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov.
2014.
"Timeline." Animals in Research Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
UW Animal Research Achievements. Animals in Research and Teaching at UWMadison.
N.p., 2011. Web. 21. Oct. 2014.
Young, John. "Touring an Animal Research Facility." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Oct. 2008. Web.
16 Nov. 2014.