Why Animal Testing is Unethical

Animal testing involves subjecting a live creature to a variety of experiments that typically cause distress, pain, suffering and ultimate death. A variety of animals might be used to test cosmetics, medications or medical procedures. Often the animals are force-fed or injected with substances to determine potential harm. Products applied to their skin, eyes or other body regions often cause burns and irreversible damage. They might be exposed to harmful doses of radiation. Scientists commonly remove organs and tissues from animals to determine the effects of various substances on cells and tissues. The ethics of using animals for testing remains a hot debate.

Many believe that animal testing remains an important aspect of developing advances in modern medicine. Medical improvements enhance the life of people. However, often times, testing does not prove effective and may have an adverse effect on people.

Thalidomide

One example involves the development of a medication known as thalidomide that was introduced in the 1960s. Researchers believed that the drug would help alleviate morning sickness in expectant mothers. The formula was tested on numerous animals before receiving approval for use in people. But, the medication caused approximately 10,000 birth defects and cost the lives of thousands of infants throughout the world.

Researchers report that adverse reactions cause more than two million hospitalizations and more than 100,000 fatalities each year. If substances were tested using more reliable techniques, many of these instances could have been avoided. The problem lies in the fact that animals do not have the same chemistry compared to humans. Their bodies respond differently to substances. Due to this anomaly, what might be safe for animals is not necessarily safe for humans.

Cosmetic Testing

Another issue involves animal testing to determine the safety of cosmetic and household formulas. The experiments do not make human lives better. Yet, animals suffer and die for the sake of product manufacturers.

Animal cruelty concerned groups believe that sacrificing animals for the sake of people is a practice from the Middle Ages and must be abolished. With the advancements in science and technology, there must be a better means of evaluating products. The CeeTox company in Michigan is one that found a better solution. The facility uses technology to screen substances for possible dangers without the need for animal testing.