It is certainly easy to understand the strong feelings behind the use of animals in medical research, which continually fuels the ongoing debate as to whether or not animal testing is an ethical and legitimate science. The need for laboratory animals is clear, given all the discoveries that have developed through this practice. It has led to a better understanding of both behavior and physiology, not to mention the knowledge in preventing or curing a variety of conditions and diseases.
Throughout history, the benefits of animal research can be seen by some major scientific advances, particularly in areas consisting of both pharmaceuticals and vaccination interventions. For example, the drug Penicillin was originally tested on mice, before …show more content…
In fact, research on cancer is “one of the largest fields of animal-based research, since there are more than 200 different types of cancer affecting over 6 organs in the body” (Winston, 2007, p. 8). Animal research studies have led to improved cancer drugs, which improved survival rates in patients and overall quality of life with decreased side effects. Medications, such as tamoxifen and Herceptin, have also been tested on animals before they were approved for human cancer treatment. In breast cancer, for example, advancements in treatment were benefits by animal models that were able to predict not only how well a particular medication would work, but also in how effective a combination approach to therapy would benefit the patient in comparison (Winston, 2007). Given all we have learned from animal testing, it’s impossible to discount all the medical advancements that have resulted through the use of animals in research. Still, the most common question that is persistently disputed is, “why not study humans?” According to Kalat (2013), there are four crucial reasons as to why we should continue to perform research on animals. The first is that many physiological systems and psychological processes are comparable between species. Second, animal research allows us to learn more about animals in general, which can also assist in the understanding and medical advancement for the animals as well. Third, animal research provides insights to the evolutionary adaptations of all species and perhaps can shed light on some major life questions, including reasons for how and why are we here. Finally, there are many legal implications to conducting studies on human participants and it also imposes other ethical questions as well (Kalat, 2013). Ultimately though, research on animals is responsible for not only for extending the life of many,
Throughout history, the benefits of animal research can be seen by some major scientific advances, particularly in areas consisting of both pharmaceuticals and vaccination interventions. For example, the drug Penicillin was originally tested on mice, before …show more content…
In fact, research on cancer is “one of the largest fields of animal-based research, since there are more than 200 different types of cancer affecting over 6 organs in the body” (Winston, 2007, p. 8). Animal research studies have led to improved cancer drugs, which improved survival rates in patients and overall quality of life with decreased side effects. Medications, such as tamoxifen and Herceptin, have also been tested on animals before they were approved for human cancer treatment. In breast cancer, for example, advancements in treatment were benefits by animal models that were able to predict not only how well a particular medication would work, but also in how effective a combination approach to therapy would benefit the patient in comparison (Winston, 2007). Given all we have learned from animal testing, it’s impossible to discount all the medical advancements that have resulted through the use of animals in research. Still, the most common question that is persistently disputed is, “why not study humans?” According to Kalat (2013), there are four crucial reasons as to why we should continue to perform research on animals. The first is that many physiological systems and psychological processes are comparable between species. Second, animal research allows us to learn more about animals in general, which can also assist in the understanding and medical advancement for the animals as well. Third, animal research provides insights to the evolutionary adaptations of all species and perhaps can shed light on some major life questions, including reasons for how and why are we here. Finally, there are many legal implications to conducting studies on human participants and it also imposes other ethical questions as well (Kalat, 2013). Ultimately though, research on animals is responsible for not only for extending the life of many,