English for Academic and Professional Purposes

September 22, 2017

Animals should not be tested for the benefits of humankind

According to the global statistics conducted by Humane Society International in 2015, an

estimated of 115 million animals were used for testing consumer products and for experimental
and research purposes. Although, it's authorized by the government, animal testing should be
banned. Not only because it's unethical and cruel but because there are numerous alternatives
developed by researchers and other scientists who are against the experimentation of animals.

Why should we test our products to the animals first where in fact humans and animals are
far different from each other ? Paul Furlong, professor of Clinical Neuroimaging at Aston
University (UK), states that "it's very hard to create an animal model that even equates closely
to what we're trying to achieve in the human." The anatomy, metabolism and cellular
differences of animals from human beings, make it harder for the researchers to construct a
prototype they need for a specific series of tests or trials. For instance, a serious case which
happened in the late 50's where a sleeping pill that is already proven effective on pregnant mice
was found to give birth defects on 10,000 babies. What works on animals doesn't mean that it
will also work in the same way on people.

Although there is an Animal Welfare Act for animal protection and for limiting the number
of animals used for experiments, it doesn't concern the activities done inside the laboratory.
The fact that they should met the required body condition for the testing process, results to
being force-fed, locked up in a cage, and remain chained all day. In one experiment conducted
at the Charles River Laboratories, three dogs were forced to take a test substance every day for
five consecutive days. After ingesting the substance, the dogs experienced difficulty in breathing
and rapid heart rate. They also became numb and the undissolved test substance were seen in
their mouths and bodies. After a day, one dog died and the two remaining were euthanized for
being unable to move and breathe.

Studies published in prestigious medical journals have shown time that animal
experimentation wastes million lives of animals and a hundred of people. The gradual repetition
of the product testing on animals, costs a total of 16 million dollars every year. Instead of
adapting the new methodologies presented by different scientists that are known for its
accurate and precise responses and reaction, there are some who still wastes their time and
effort in using animals as test subjects. In addition, money wasted on experiments could save a
lot of more sick people through the use of modern, human-relevant non-animal tests..

Through technology and innovation, scientists come up with an alternatives that doesn't
involve animals. They introduced vitro-testing, silicon models, and involving human volunteers.

To ensure people's safety from such products, a lot of animals suffered and were killed
during the testing process. They already gave humans food and clothes to use. What else do we
want from them ? Animals deserve to live peacefully in the world. Even though they can't
reflect nor talk,they can still feel pain. The increase of people's awareness regarding the
termination of animal testing proves that most of the human beings like those products which
doesn't involve animals being tested. The people should take care of the animals, it shouldn't be
the animals that will take care of people. Animal testing should be stopped and banned by the
government.

Sources:

Alternatives to animal testing.

Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/alternatives-

animal-testing.html

Animal testing. (2016).

Retrieved from http://animaltesting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=006512

Animal use statistics. (2015).

Retrieved from http://www.hsi.org/campaigns/end_animal_testing/facts/statistics.html

The essential difference between animals and humans. (2016).

Retrieved from http://wildtruth.net/the-essential-difference-between-animals-and-

humans.html