Animal ExperimentationPsych - 2013

There are pros and cons to the practice of animal testing.

Unfortunately, neither seem to fully tip the scale to a side that pleases everyone – including the general public, government and scientists.

CONS Animals can suffer psychologically as

well… These animals don’t get to live life how

they normally would in their natural habitat

Some animals are used for research that is curiosity driven and not for a research that will lead to a cure or treatment to a disease

PROS Major pro for animal experimentation is

that it aids researchers in finding drugs and treatments to improve health and medicine.

Quotes from Medical Experts

"...animal research is essential to tackling major 21st century health problems such as cancer and heart disease. Without the use of animals it would be impossible, in many cases, to develop drugs or any sort of medical treatment."

Professor Sir George Radda

Animal experiments in biomedical research have allowed us to accomplish many things n human medicine. With these experiments we have achieved a longer life span, a decreased infant mortality, effective treatments for many diseases, and also the quality of life has enhanced in general (American Media Association 76‐75)

"...carefully controlled and planned animal experiments have made a vital contribution to the discovery and utility of the well-known classes of antibiotics"

Keith Mansford

"...the discovery and development of these and the other major anti-asthmatic drugs would not have been possible without animal research"

Dr David Jack

"...we must support and protect individuals and companies engaged in life saving medical research"

Tony Blair

"Animal experimentation has been essential to the development of all cardiac surgery, transplantation surgery, joint replacements and all vaccinations."

Joseph E Murray

"Animal research saves lives, but wherever possible alternatives should be used,"

Lord Sainsbury

"Research on animals has contributed to almost every medical advance of the last century."

Department of Health 2001

"There needs to be clearer communication for the public about how valuable it [animal testing] is.

Lord Robert Winston

It is important to remember that principles and guidelines are put in place to protect animals.

CPA – page 20 (CPA animal rights) http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/userfiles/

Documents/Canadian%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20for%20Psycho.pdf

What are your thoughts on this?

Should humans continue to be allowed to use animal experimentation?

Are there things that would directly affect you if particular drugs were never invented?

Are experts taking advantage? Is it too much of a good thing?

While there are numerous pros and cons of animal testing, the ethical aspect overshadows both of them, which means that emotion may be the ultimate factor in whether a person believes the benefits of animal testing outweigh the problems associated with the practice.

Today there are many treatments and cures to diseases – we are centuries ahead considering the fact animal experimentation was used

The life of humans as we know it has improved and keeps on improving

As good as this all sounds there is a bad side to it

The world may never agree on this topic, but know the pros and cons about this can help you to make the correct decision on this moral struggle.

Animals helping animals – Blood Donor Clinic

Humans helping humans – Donor Cards