Animal Testing

How do you guys feel about animal testing? And when i say animal testing i mean animal testing for the purposes of finding cures for diseases vaccine for diseases and stuff like that... I think it acceptable under these circumstances... if however it is done for unnecessary reasons, Like testing a drug that will make peoples wrinkles disappear or some other drug that is not necessary to keep certain people alive then it is wrong.

 

I am completely against animal testing in all it's forms. Which means I'm also against animal testing for the purpose of finding cures for diseases. There are two reasons for this. The first, is that I don't think the torture and vicious death of one creature to potentially help another, is acceptable. The other reason is, I go along with the view of a lot of scientists that animal testing does more harm to the cause of finding cures for human diseases, than good and is a regression in medicine. Seeing as there are some major biological differences between animals and humans. The ONLY surefire way to ensure a drug is safe for a human to take, is for a human to take it. So not only do I find animal testing a cruel and barbarous practice, I also don't believe there is any significant benefit to humans from it.

Even if medical experiments on animals were largely beneficial to humans, I would still be against it. The fact that it is not, just makes it completely unjustifiable on any level. Just think of all the millions of animals that have been made to suffer slow, agonising deaths in the name of finding cures for certain illnesses, and those cures have still not been found. The end certainly doesn't justify the means. And those who think it's only mice and rats that are used in these experiments, (not that it would be acceptable even then) are very wrong. Cats, dogs, primates, birds, horses, and many other animals are routinely slaughtered in the name of scientific research. I don't think I need to say that testing of cosmetics on animals, or things that go into shampoo and stuff, is just outrageous.

 

While I respect your opinion I do think you exaggerating the way these animals are treated. Many of the animals don't even need to die and none of them are tortured. Also not all animals are tested to find cures for human diseases, sometimes they try to find cures for diseases that the animals who are being tested would get. If testing on 200 rats could potentially save the lives of 200,000 rats or other animals would it still be wrong?

 

"Many of the animals don't even need to die and none of them are tortured."

If you really believe that, then you are just being extremely naive. I have seen video and pictorial evidence of what goes on in some of these places, and I think anyone with even the slightest compassion for animals, would have their stomachs' churned by some of the stuff that goes on. As would yours too, I'm sure if you knew what happens in these places.

No, I don't think killing/torturing of anything for the POTENTIAL benefits to others is worth it. Anyways, why would you be for that, if as I assume, you would be against testing on humans only for cures for human illnesses and diseases?

 

I actually have been working in a Laboratory Animal Facility for the last few months, and I can tell you that the animals are not tortured. I am not saying I support Animal testing, the only reason I am working at this place is because I am required to work there one semester to get my animal science degree. I am not defending animal testing all I was saying was that it is possible you were misinformed about the issue. When animal testing first started many of the animals were mistreated, but since then laws and regulations have been put in place to stop that. Also all animal facilities are inspected on a regular basis to make sure these regulations are followed. I personally am not sure how I feel about animal testing, which is part of the reason why I started this thread.

 

humans have NO RIGHTS to control any other living being...

id rather see people use people for testing, theres no reason to use animals, if you know what your doing is potentially dangerous to humans, why would you do it to an animal? people see themselves as gods over the animals, plucking them out of their lives to suit ours needs, and its a disgusting show of human nature.


you said not all animals need to die and that their not tortured...

well:

1: that means that SOME still are tortured and SOME still die.

and

2: just being taken from their lives, your completely mind fucking them....theyre just living their life, peacefully, good and bad parts of life all around, but their used to what they know...then bam, their caught and brought to a lab where all kinds of weird and/or painful things happen to the poor creature...

 

No, I have to take care of my own species first, like any other animal. I'm starting a flame war, probably, but I've got too many loved ones with cancers and diabetes that would have been dead long ago but for treatments developed through animal testing. Frankly, if it can reduce the suffering of one sick human, the labs can spray acid on kittens for all I care. I'm not particularly pleased about the need, but I can't deny it. As for human trials, those come after animal testing has proven that the medicines are safe for animal life.

As a disclaimer, I do not support cosmetics animal testing in any way. That's just unnecessary. And the fact that they feel the need to test it makes me nervous about the cosmetics themselves. . .

 

I think that you should investigate more into animal testing and how harmful it is. You may work for a facility that doens't "torture" animals, but in my mind, testing on animals is torture in the purest form. Innocent animals suffer and die all because we are too afraid [or too lazy] to find alternative ways test whatever needs testing. I don't think you can say that people are misinformed about the issue when you obviously are the one misinformed. That is awesome you work for a facility that doesn't "harm" animals, but trust me, there are TONS of facilities that do. And these animal testing sites are not checked as often as they should be. Regulations are not followed.

 

Although I vehemently disagree with the rest of your post, I've highlighted this portion of it in particular as it's completely inaccurate. (the rest was your own personal opinion, which I respect, but totally disagree with) As I mentioned earlier, the ONLY way to be sure a medicine is safe for human consumption, is for a human to try it. Just because something has been proven to be safe for one animal species, that is no guarantee it will be safe for humans, or even other types of animals. So while the rest of your comment is your own opinion, that is just wrong. This is a reason why even a lot of scientists are against animal testing. There are many biological differences between most animals, even amongst other species other than humans. And of course, human beings. Im sure many people have became seriously ill, or died in test trials for drugs which were first tested on animals. The amount that actually are successful, are tiny, compared to the huge proportion of failed experiments. So your statement is hugely flawed, as there is no way a drug can be called safe for human consumption, unless a human has taken it.

 

i think animal testing is unnecessary and outdated

i also have a moral issue with it.. i've seen docs (and i don't mean just peta bullshit) and you can see and hear the pain these animals go thru.. it is fucked up

 

It would be more wise to test prevention rather than cures...

 

This is so valid. I don't understand how people can justify testing on animals to "make sure it is safe for humans". The animals that are used in labs have a complete different make up. Something that may cause no harm to the animals could wreck havoc on humans. And what if something that caused extreme harm or held negative results actually worked on humans and never made it past the animal testing portion? Hello? A cure for cancer that could be looked over. This is why people need to take the time to figure out alternatives to animal testing.

Here is a link from the humane society that sheds some light on possible alternatives to animal testing.
http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/animal_testing/alternatives.html

 

Totally true.

Maybe the human species should not consume things that will inevitably give them cancer, diabetes, or any other lifestyle type disease. Then because of there own harmful desicions put another creature through extremely unnecessary and painful tests to fix a problem they themselves have created.

 

Animal testing is WRONG. PERIOD. The animals are not ours to abuse in any way, and their souls are just as important as ours. It is shown repeatedly there are other ways to test medicines (FORGET COSMETICS)

And I am sickened by any sentiment that says "they're just rats." Try finding out how much love any rat can return for the love you give them. It's astonishing, and to say the least, very heartwarming. And no, I'm not "PETA shit" as some would post. I know PETA goes overboard sometimes. But those beings who cannot speak for themselves need the biggest voices they can get. PETA and, thankfully, several other animal welfare organizations. And me. I'll speak up for the rest of my life.

This goes for our fellow animals, as well as children and any people who, for whatever reason, find themselves helpless, unable to speak for themselves.

I've had years to think about all this, and the past year has finally brought me to this newer awareness. If we're so great (and we're apparently not) we can find saner means of finding the elusive cures to our maladies. Testing on animals has still left us with a lot of pain and sorrow, and still no cure in sight.

 

While I see none of this pleases you, you and I have nothing to discuss.

 

I think that a lot of people dont realize the extent of the torture that is conducted in animal testing. I think that if people knew, even meat eaters would be disgusted and admit that it is completely unnecessary to subject any sentient being to that kind of inhumane treatment.

 

That is definitely true. The OP at least seemed to be extremely naive about the issue. If what was being done to these animals was not in the name of 'scientific research', it would simply be labelled as torture and abuse. Which would be correct, as that is exactly what animal testing is. And the people who do know the extent of the torture and still don't mind it, well I wouldnt even give those people the time of day anyways.

 

i am COMPLETELY against animal testing. I think the world would be a better place if there where less or no humans anyway.