Introduction
Recently, there has been a growing public outcry against animal testing. Over 115.2 million animals are used for research yearly, with only a small percentage surviving the experiments (Taylor & Alvarez, 2019). The common animals used for laboratory experiments include rats, hamsters, mice, frogs, rabbits, monkeys, cats, guinea pigs, birds, and dogs (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA], 2023).
The subject of animal experimentation poses a great ethical dilemma. On the one hand, the proponents of animal testing argue that it is necessary to create life-saving treatments, while the opponents emphasize that it inflicts significant pain and distress on animals, which is unethical. Although animal testing is critical in developing drugs and ensuring their safety, it should only be used if alternative models fail.
Technical Aspects
Animal experimentation plays a critical role in research and drug development. Animal testing began in 300 B.C. when scientists started using animals to learn and teach anatomy (Coates, 2019). Nevertheless, the use of animals in drug testing was popularized around the 20th century when a United States-based pharmaceutical company created a product named Elixir Sulfanilamide, whose use led to massive fatalities (Sántha, 2020).
Consequently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered that all drugs be tested on animals first before their introduction in the market (Sántha, 2020). Thus, animal testing was adopted globally to avoid further fatal drug experiences. One of the reasons why animal testing is prevalent in drug testing is that the law requires it (Wadman, 2023). In addition, animals have several similarities with humans; hence, testing a drug on an animal may ascertain whether or not it is effective for humans. Therefore, animal testing is predominant due to its vital role in biomedical research and the development of medications.
Public Policy
There are several laws and policies on the subject of animal experimentation. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), enacted in 1966, is a critical regulation that opposes animal mistreatment in research facilities (Coates, 2019). AWA’s guidelines dictate that animals in zoos, laboratories, and breeding facilities be offered appropriate nutrition, housing, and veterinary care. It also requires that scientists lessen animal pain and distress during research and use alternative models if possible. Nevertheless, AWA excludes 99% of animals used for experiments, including mice, fish, rats, and birds (PETA, 2023).
Similarly, the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy opposes the inappropriate treatment of animals during experiments (National Institute of Health [NIH], 2022). It also necessitates the establishment of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees to evaluate and approve animal research procedures (NIH, 2022). Alternatively, the FDA supports animal testing techniques and the use of products obtained through experiments to ensure the safety of drugs for human consumption. However, as of 2023, animal tests are not required to approve a new drug (Wadman, 2023). Therefore, the AWA, PHS policy, and FDA are the laws that govern animal testing.
Argument Against Animal Testing
Animal testing causes unnecessary suffering to animals because most of the drugs fail in humans. Experiments subject animals to immense pain and suffering because some are coerced to inhale poisonous gases (PETA, 2023). Additionally, some researchers drill holes into animal skulls, burn off their skin, and deprive them of sleep and food. Similarly, social isolation greatly traumatizes the animals, leaving them in distress.
Yet, despite all this torture, most of these experiments do not yield any positive results. Research indicates that 90% of discoveries made from animal testing fail in human trials, and 95% of all drugs that prove effective in animals are either toxic or ineffective on people (PETA, 2023). This creates the need for scientists to adopt alternative models, such as complex computational and in vitro methods, which have shown more potential for identifying how various drugs can work in humans (Wadman, 2023). Thus, animal testing causes needless suffering because most of the products obtained through these experiments are ineffective on humans.
Argument Supporting Animal Testing
Animal experimentation helps to develop life-saving treatments and ensures drug safety. Most of the medical breakthroughs in history can be attributed to animal testing. In this case, experiments on cows aided in creating the first world vaccine, ending smallpox’s menace (Foundation for Biomedical Research, 2023). In addition, rodent models were used to develop chloroquine, a drug that treats and prevents malaria.
Similarly, animal models, particularly mice, have been critical in creating numerous cancer drugs. Chemotherapy was initially designed to decrease tumors in mice, and Herceptin, a drug used by breast cancer patients, was developed using mice (Foundation for Biomedical Research, 2023). Equally, animal experimentation helps guarantee medication safety, preventing unanticipated fatalities.
In 1957, thalidomide, a drug used as an analgesic for managing fatigue, insomnia, and pregnancy-related vomiting and nausea, caused limb anomalies among thousands of babies in Europe (Sántha, 2020). In this case, animal testing would have averted such crises. Therefore, animal testing is necessary for the production of critical treatments and to guarantee their safety.
Conclusion
Animal testing has become one of the most contentious subjects in today’s society. Some believe it is integral in developing treatments and guaranteeing drug safety. In this case, the use of animal models has aided in the creation of vaccines and drugs for cancer and malaria. Alternatively, the practice causes a lot of pain and distress to the animals, yet most of these experiments are unsuccessful because the products are either lethal or ineffective among humans.
The deontological theory emphasizes the need to adhere to moral duties and principles. In this case, humans have an obligation to protect animal welfare by preventing avoidable animal testing. Therefore, there is a need to adopt the use of alternative models, such as in vitro methods, to safeguard animals from unnecessary suffering.
References
Coates, K. (Ed.). (2019). Critical perspectives on animal testing. Enslow Publishing, LLC.
Foundation for Biomedical Research. (2023). Animal testing and research achievements. Web.
National Institute of Health. (2022). PHS policy on humane care and use of laboratory animals. Web.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. (2023). 11 Shocking animal testing statistics that are hard to swallow. Web.
Sántha, M. (2020). Biologia futura: Animal testing in drug development—The past, the present and the future. Biologia Futura, 71(4), 443–452. Web.
Taylor, K., & Alvarez, L. R. (2019). An estimate of the number of animals used for scientific purposes worldwide in 2015. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 47(5–6), 196–213. Web.
Wadman M. (2023). FDA no longer has to require animal testing for new drugs. Science, 379(6628), 127–128. Web.