In the contemporary times, there are hundreds of renowned medical research institutions that carry out tests using non-human animals. Animals, mostly rats and mice, are subjected to testing and/or trialing into settings useful to acquire knowledge related to human disease or to test probable human treatments. Animal experimentation can turn out as a tremendous way to further medical science as animals like mice and rats have many similarities with human physiology and genetics (Yarri, 2005).
The advocates of animal experimentation generally assert that animals and human beings do not share equal morals and rights. They claim so to support their argument by highlighting that harm done to animals is lesser than the payback to humans being from animal experimentation. According to supporters of animal experimentation, the caused harm is not more important than the benefits achieved. Thus, they firmly believe that human beings are far more important than the fellow living beings, especial animals. Animals do not enjoy fundamental rights that human beings possess. Therefore, the defenders of animal experimentation argue that any likely animal rights infringements are overshadowed or compensated by the larger human benefits obtained from animal research and experimentation. Thus, the defenders of the mentioned issue present the evidence that “animals may feel pain, but they do not have sufficient consciousness and self-awareness to be placed on a moral level with people” (Bekoff, 2010). Therefore, animals’ use is acceptable in studies as long as researchers are cautious to not harm or injure them too much.
For reducing the impact of experimentation and research on animals, a set of principles known as “The Three Rs” has been introduced for scientists to follow. The Three Rs refer to Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement. Reduction means the reduction of animals’ number kept for carrying out tests and trials. This is done by making improvements in the methods used for experiments, improvements in data-analyzing techniques, and information-sharing with other scientists and/or researchers. Refinement of the experiment means to care for animals so that their suffering may be reduced. This is done with the usage of techniques that are less invasive, improved medical care, and appropriate conditions for animal living and survival. Lastly, replacement of experiments is also encouraged so that other methods may be used as alternatives. This is done by carrying out tests/trials on cell cultures obtained from animals instead of using whole animals. Another alternative method is to use computer models instead of real animals. Refinement can also be done through the study of human volunteers replacing animals. In addition, epidemiological studies may also be used for the same reason (“Experimenting on Animals”).
In my opinion, a middle ground must be chosen to satisfy both the advocates and opponents of animal research and experimentation. It is important for people who are not comfortable about animal research and experiments to understand that there are some circumstances when harm to the animals is outweighed by the good that arises out of such tests. However, there are certain guidelines and principles that must be followed while using animals for research purposes.
As already mentioned, the Three Rs have successfully replaced animal use in research and majority of laboratories conduct tests using alternative techniques. It is because animal rights are now respected by many researchers and scientists. However, there are a number of drugs, treatments and/or procedures that must be tested on animals before making them available to the common man. Although human volunteers are now used for a wide array of tests, it is still necessary to conduct research on animals instead of human beings considering the probable harm. I believe this is a reasonable step as human life is more important than an animal’s life.
However, I do not at all mean here that animals do not have rights. Animals also need care and respect, but the best practice is to utilize them instead of causing harm to any human being. Preferential research is necessary to use, and scientists must try to use less composite animals/organisms such as fruit flies, bacteria, plants, whenever possible as there use is less harmful than using mammals. It is because complex organisms are believed to have a richer and more gratifying life. Secondly, animal use must be reduced in any case. Provision of superior environments that are disease-free must be made sure to encourage non-violation of animal rights. In a similar manner, “well designed studies and appropriate statistical analysis of data can minimize the number of animals required for statistically significant results” (Hepworth, 2008).
References
Bekoff, M. (2010). Encyclopedia Of Animal Rights And Animal Welfare Second Edition.. Santa Barbara, Calif. : Greenwood Press.
Experimenting on Animals. (n.d.). BBC News. Retrieved June 11, 2014, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/experiments_1.shtml
Hepworth, A. (2008, November 26). Animal Research: The Ethics of Animal Experimentation. HOPES. Retrieved June 11, 2014, from http://www.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/wordpress/2010/07/animal-research/
Yarri, D. (2005). The Ethics of Animal Experimentation: A Critical Analysis and Constructive Christian Proposal. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
