Weekly Discussion ~ Animal Testing

There are some places where animal testing is necessary, but there are plenty of places where it isn’t, and I think we need to distinguish the two and put restrictions on animal testing that way.

People are developing better ways to test products and medicine alike, and I think we should really push for those things so that these mistreated animals (most unnecessarily) don’t have to go through that anymore.

That being said, some animal testing isn’t actually harmful to the animal. (Some psychology testing for instance.)

I have been campaigning against animal testing for the past few years, and, whilst I agree and respect that it may be necessary in some cases, I don’t believe in it at all.

First of all, I’d like to address the cases of animal testing in which it is purely for cosmetic purposes. I don’t believe in this at all - the only reason we’re doing it is to get nice makeup and hair products, which aren’t necessary. Furthermore, you can find plenty of cosmetic products that aren’t animal tested too, so I really don’t see how these shouldn’t be outlawed and banned.

Secondly, I’d like to address animal testing in medical problems. Whilst I respect that we most definitely do need to find a cure for horrible diseases like cancer, I don’t agree that this is the right way to go about it. I think that if we wouldn’t do it on humans we shouldn’t do it on animals, that’s just putting humans before animals, which I don’t agree in. Who made humans more superior, purely because they are more intelligent?

And in most cases, animal testing isn’t always accurate. Animals are very different to humans and in most cases, it doesn’t even help anyway. Other things are being made that can be used instead - I think further steps should be made to make those more accurate and to be used more.

In some cases though, I do accept that there is no other way about it. The only way for this to be okay, in my opinion, would be for if it was carefully planned, and the animals wouldn’t suffer at all. They would also be okay at the end, and they would be able to find nice homes for them.

I think it is a necessary part of science and medical advances. Without animal testing there would be any of these amazing medical devices and procedures that are not only saving thousands of humans live but thousands of animal lives as well.

Some things to when it comes to medical research is that the animals employed in research are given the best life possible. Happy animals means good results for the researchers. The USDA has set guidelines that research facilities must follow to stay in business. This includes making sure the animals have food, water, proper caging, and enrichment/mental stimulation. What’s is the point of putting all this money and time into a facility to mistreat animals only to have themselves shut down? All these videos that corporations like PETA show are severely outdated or from unregulated facilities who’s practices are also outdated. But because PETA is so influential, their videos spread like wild fire creating this false image of animal research. Some may say “why not use computer models or cells on a slide for research instead of animals?” While some research can be done this way, it is by no means going to replicate the complex body systems of the humans/animal body as accurately as an actually living breathing body. Another thing that is important to is research doesn’t end with animals. There are human trials that are just as regulated. I could go on and on but I will leave it there.

I personally don’t like animal testing and don’t think it’s necessary. If you wouldn’t test it on yourself then there’s probably a reason so why test it on animals. I think companies should just believe in their products enough to test it themselves.

I had such a hard time putting those thoughts into words cuz my brain is fried so I’m sorry if that doesn’t make sense and isn’t worded great haha