Animal Drug Testing

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The two different sources of information that I am going to use for animal testing are: one from the Time online called ‘Drug testing on animals’ (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article743294.ece) written by DR ROGER STRAUGHAN on March 21 2006.

The other article is called ‘Advantage of animal testing in medical research’ (http://www.allfreeessays.com/essays/Advantages-Of-Animal-Testing-In-Medical/23953.html) written by Mark Brookes on 18th February 2008.

Medical research involving animals has improved the health of the human race. Without animal testing, the cure for polio would not exist and diabetics would suffer or die from their disease. Animals should be used to test new medical techniques and drugs because it allows life saving ideas to be developed, it is safe, animals can be bred easily, and it will save human lives. One of the first advantages of animals testing is that it allows scientists to test create and test new drugs. Animals such as monkeys or rabbits have similar physical processes to humans. This allows scientists to test the effects of certain drugs. If a drug produces adverse effects in animals it is probably unfit for human use.

Scientists have achieved the capability to resolve medical tribulations, treat and cure diseases, and create vaccines all with the use of animals throughout scientific investigation. Animal testing is cheap. There is a large supply of animals for medical research. Animals are easily bred, and maintained safely in controlled labs. The costs of testing in humans would be extremely high. When a new drug is introduced it undergoes animal testing to reduce dangerous side effects. “Animal testing of Albuleukin suggests it lasts longer, causes fewer side effects and could potentially treat a broader range of cancers than the original for of interleukin-2” said Human Genome Sciences officials.

For some people this may be considered unethical or morally wrong, many people think that animal drug testing is cruel, it could harm the animals. It may cause them to become dangerous. Some people also say that animal drug testing is become like a business for many to make money rather then actually caring for the animals (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_disadvantages_of_animal_testing).

 Many would also that that it is not justice just because the animals cannot speak or defend themselves from humans.

I agree with animal testing as it has bought many advantages to us, scientists are able to cure and treat diseases that were not possible before, all because of animal testing. Many people say it’s wrong to test on animals well it would be much crueler to test new drugs on people or children, or to let people die because there was not enough information about a drug. If it wasn’t for animal testing lots of people would be losing their lives from diseases that are easily treated, and be in a lot of pain because there would be no treatment for their illness. Animal testing is needed in the world we live in. Our responsibility is to manage the animals in our care and balance their suffering against the good that comes from them.