The debate over the use of animals for medical research is still heated and seems to be everlasting. Some suggest that this practice is morally wrong, while others oppose them, arguing there is no better option. Testing on animals in the lab provides researchers with valuable knowledge regarding a particular disease, how it could be treated, and using which medicines. Indeed, such studies often cause harm or death to animals involved. However, it is more unethical and impractical to test the new treatment on fellow human beings. To my mind, comprehensive regulations should be in place to limit studies on animals and minimize the harm they may experience.
Opponents of animal experimentation claim that it can be substituted with more human and advanced options. Researches may use cell cultures grown in the lab, 3D structures of human organs, donated human tissues, and computer models. For instance, brutal rabbit irritation tests can be replaced by eye and skin models reconstructed from developed human tissues. Nevertheless, such options require more investment and advanced technical solutions. According to Zwolińska (2017), the use of animals in labs contributed to biomedical and scientific progress and is expected to continue do so. For instance, animal researchers discovered insulin therapy by removing the pancreas from dogs to observe its actual role in regulating blood sugar and digestion (Felman, 2018). Although animal experiments are still of high importance, governments and researchers must ensure that the well-being of laboratory animals is continuously improving.
Thus, researchers must share the public’s concern and follow particular principles such as the three Rs. The first is Replace, meaning that scientists should use alternative methods to study the issue or test treatment when it is possible. The following principle is Reduce: to decrease the number of animals involved by improving experimental techniques and fostering cooperation between independent researchers (Curzer et al., 2016). The last one is Refine about improving living conditions and caring for animals by applying less invasive experimental methods. It is essential to find a temporal compromise between the ethical side of the issue and its practical benefits applying similar limitations and principles.
References
Curzer, H. J., Perry, G., Wallace, M. C., & Perry, D. (2016). The three Rs of animal research: what they mean for the institutional animal care and use committee and why. Science and Engineering Ethics, 22(2), 549-565. Web.
Felman, A. (2018). Who discovered insulin?. Medical News Today. Web.
Zwolińska, J. (2017). The use of animals in medical research-A historical perspective. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 45(1), 37-47. Web.