Guinea Pig Meaning

The common idiomatic expression “be the guinea pig” has a controversial and deeper meaning behind it that many people don’t even realize. In society, we use the guinea pig as a symbol of being the first to try something, typically a dangerous task or unpalatable concoction. No one wants to be the guinea pig. When our friend tries an unknown food and it turns out to be delicious, there is a beneficial outcome to them being the guinea pig. Other people then eat the food and it becomes a learning experience. The literal meaning behind the expression, to perform tests on guinea pigs and alike animals can also have a positive result. So even though no one wants to “be the guinea pig,” someone has to take the sacrifice for growth and knowledge. Who …show more content…
There’s no denying that animal research has provided scientists with the necessary knowledge to discover treatments and medications. Although many Animal Rights Activists try to deny this fact. Michael Allen Fox, the author of “The Case for Animal Experimentation: An Evolutionary and Ethical Perspective,” notes the “landmarks in the history of preventive medicine… such as vaccines or antitoxins to combat rabies, cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, pneumonia, polio, measles, and vital hepatitis” (95). Many surgical procedures, therapy tactics, and medical devices were also developed with the help of animal research. Another thing to consider is that not only human lives are being saved, but animal ones too. Beloved dogs, cats, farm animals, wildlife, and importantly, endangered species have all benefitted from animal research. Veterinarians use knowledge acquired through animal research. This includes vaccines for pets, artificial joints, and chemotherapy. Animal research has enhanced the lives of many animals, at the cost of other animal’s lives though. Even with all of this evidence of medical and scientific breakthroughs animal experimentation contributed to, many people still don’t buy into it. According to Procon.org, “animal tests may mislead researchers into ignoring potential cures and treatments.” In other words, because animal tests can …show more content…
Some say it is completely and utterly unethical, whereas others say it is ethical, and many just honestly aren’t quite sure where they stand on this ethical debate. This is the most personal aspect of the debate and many people get passionate about it due to their ethics beliefs. It can be difficult to understand each other’s views, but if we stay respectful and open minded, we can advance in society. Stephanie Liou writes in her article “Animal Research: The Ethics of Animal Experimentation,” that it is argued that “animals cannot be considered morally equal to humans.” These thought processes refer to the idea of a moral hierarchy in which us humans have placed ourselves at the very top. We claim to be the superior species among this earth. Many people believe animals don’t deserve any rights because they don’t have the same cognitive ability as humans. Another aspect explored when debating the ethics of animal testing is religion. This all depends on personal beliefs, opinions, and interpretations. After all, in the Bible, God said “let them [human beings] have dominion over the fish in the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all earth, and over every creeping things that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26). Interestingly enough, many religious traditions teach us to be merciful to animals. The Bible