Animal Testing, Bad Idea Essay Example
Animal Testing, Bad Idea Essay Example

Animal Testing, Bad Idea Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (894 words)
  • Published: November 26, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The issue of animal testing is a globally disputed matter, in which animals are used for experiments and research purposes within laboratories. The aim is to enhance human life or establish potential risks associated with household and cosmetic products. Despite the possible advantages, a significant number of people oppose this practice as it entails ethical challenges. This argument has persisted across various nations, not limited to the United States.

Despite conflicting views on the advantages of research and the negative depiction of animal abuse in media, addressing animal experimentation is crucial for society and culture. The practice should be banned altogether. Chemical testing is the most frequently utilized form among the three main types of animal experimentation.

Animal exposure to chemicals is a frequent occurrence that impacts numerous animals on a daily basis. The Environmental Protection Agen

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cy (EPA) requires that almost all chemicals imported into the United States undergo testing, leading to anywhere between 5,000 and 87,000 animals being tested (Kelly 132). Studies conducted by the University of Manchester indicate that for every set of 1,000 chemical tests performed, there could be up to 1.2 million animal casualties (Kelly 133).

Animal experimentation, whether it be for medical or other purposes, frequently entails exposing animals to large quantities of chemicals in order to monitor their effects. This can lead to the animals experiencing anguish and discomfort that may ultimately result in their death.

Before releasing new drugs for human use, scientists assess their toxicity on animals through medical testing. Two methods used in this process are the Draize Eye Irritancy Test and the Dermal Irritancy Test. The former involves introducing a significant amount of substance into an animal's eye t

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determine its level of irritation, while the latter includes multiple applications of substances onto an animal's skin to observe their effects. Nevertheless, depending on the substance, innocent animals can suffer severe consequences from these tests (Lindsay III).

The act of subjecting animals to painful side effects and suffering for medical testing purposes contradicts the purpose of the medical field, which is to cure and assist others. This cruelty extends even to minor categories such as cosmetic testing, which informs companies of the risks associated with some products.

Conducting cosmetic tests has no significant impact on curing diseases or saving human lives. Despite its limited benefit to humans and negative impact on animals, why continue this practice? These experiments have resulted in the deaths of countless innocent animals. Nevertheless, proponents argue that animal testing has contributed significantly to medical knowledge and saved lives. For instance, chemotherapy has enabled around seventy percent of children with leukemia to survive (Finsen 22). Also, without medication to control high blood pressure, sixty million Americans would be at risk of stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack (Finsen 21).

While it's understandable that the opposing side disagrees with the government's decision to conduct experiments on animals, the reality is that it is both a time-consuming and costly process. The government funds a multitude of experiments on animals each day, which amounts to a staggering fourteen billion dollars annually for biomedical research (Thomas). Furthermore, it costs an additional five hundred million dollars just to fully approve one product (Thomas). One can only imagine the exorbitant costs involved in testing and approving one thousand drugs.

The government's expenditure on animal experimentation is excessive, given that it results

in the death of millions of animals. Rather than spending money on such cruel practices, the funds could better serve a charitable cause. Jill Fritz, the President of San Diego Animal Advocates, concurs that the government's resources could be directed more effectively by investing in preventive medicine and education instead of the torture of animals.

It is a common occurrence to hear that schools have to eliminate activities like sports due to insufficient funds, while money spent on animal experimentation could be redirected to schools for greater benefit. Given the wasteful spending of the government, it would be wise to ban animal testing as it involves inhumane treatment of animals.

Repeatingly, innocent animals are subjected to physical and mental suffering through experiments. A typical test method nowadays compels creatures to consume increasing doses of chemicals until they expire (Kelly). Inflicting poison inhalation on an animal is a form of both cruelty and torture. Animal experimentation is comparable to sinister crimes such as murder or rape; creatures are being killed without any visible justification. Even if alleged benefits exist, infecting monkeys with AIDS or exposing rodents to radiation and toxic substances is not acceptable. If humans are incarcerated for killing other humans, the punishment for killing animals should be the same.

Government officials permit animal testing, which enables scientists to carry out numerous experiments on animals resulting in approximately 100,000 to 125,000 creatures receiving chemical injections and experiencing severe pain every hour (Kelly). It is crucial to explore alternatives to using animals for experimentation since this practice is barbaric and intolerable. It is worthwhile contemplating how you would feel if subjected to such cruelty.

Eliminating animal testing is crucial, given

that it results in the demise of innocent creatures and brings about avoidable agony and suffering. Additionally, supporting such experiments with government funding is a waste since the funds could be better utilized for education and other pressing issues. It's vital to acknowledge that animals are living beings who should not undergo torture, like procedures involving needle injections into their eyes.

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