As this class comes to a conclusion, I reflect on the learning experience I have gone through these past weeks while researching on my blog topic; Animal Testing. I discovered from the beginning of my research that this topic was very controversial with strong opinions on both sides of the argument. I decided to narrow my search on the use of animals for medical research, because I had an interest to find out how much impact it had in the prevention and reduction of diseases that affected humans as well as animals. Prior to the start of my research, I did not have a strong opinion about neither side of the argument. I did not support nor did I oppose on the topic, simply because I did not know much about it to have formed a strong opinion.

During the research, I learned the reasons why some people felt strongly against it or in favor of animal testing. Some of the opinions were substantially supported by scientific evidence. I also learned that ethics was the primary issue for those in the opposing side of the argument. They felt it was inhumane and cruel to put animals through unnecessary pain and suffering and they also questioned the results of the test and reasons behind it.

The research on this controversial topic has offered me a deeper understanding on the reasons why people strongly advocate or oppose the use of animals in the name of science. Both sides have brought legitimate reasons to support their opinions, including scientific and moral ones. I have felt more influenced by those in favor because of the medical advantages that have been achieved with animal testing, but I also have felt it was important to continue working on alternative ways for scientist to find cures to diseases without using animals in their research.

Works cited

Newton, David E. The Animal Experimentation Debate.2013.Print

www.animal research.info

 

 

 

 

In every argument, there are pros and cons. My research topic on animal experimentation has its share of both as it is a very controversial issue. As I continue to research in my community of interest what others are saying about this topic, I have discovered that most people advocate for the use of animals in medical research because of the many medical breakthroughs that have occurred over the last decade. Among those breakthroughs are: penicillin (to treat infections), vaccines for polio, TB, anti-retroviral medicine AZT to slow the progress from HIV to AIDS, asthma inhalers, insulin for diabetes, vaccines for rabies, dental care, hip replacement and chemotherapy for animals.

  Those who oppose the use of animals for research argue on the basis of ethics and scientific limitations of the research. The most known organization to oppose this type of research is the PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals).Among their arguments are that he use of animals is unreliable for predicting results in humans due to the different DNA; that medical breakthroughs are possible without the use of animals; that 95% of the animals use in laboratories including mice and rats, are not protected by the AWC (Animal Welfare Care Act), that it is cruel and inhumane, and that there are other alternatives instead, such as the use of computer models.

My argument to these claims is that based on scientific research; chimpanzees share 99% of their DNA with humans follow by mice with 98% making them suffer from the same diseases as we do such as cancer and diabetes. Animals in research facilities are treated in a humane way because it is vital for the reliability of the test results. Laboratories personnel must follow AWA regulations for the treatment of animals in research. Animals themselves have greatly benefited from the research otherwise; many would have died from rabies, tetanus or other infections. When it comes to alternative ways of conducting research with non-human specimen, some computer models use cell dish to conduct studies of living organisms, but it is not yet possible to conduct all research without the use of animals. There are no computers that can duplicate the complexity of the human organisms for study such is the case of the brain. If we eradicate the use of animals for medical research based on ethics, then why not apply the same principle to hunting animals for fun, wearing leather on our shoes and becoming vegetarians or vegans. We eat more animals, fish and birds in one year than the mammals we use for research. It is my believe that animals continue to be the best source of study for the prevention, and treatment of diseases on both humans and animals as well.

Works cited

www.animalresearch.info

Newton, David E. The Animal Experimentation Debate. 2013. Print

As I continue to research on this controversial, topic, this question has come to mind. Does the end justify the means? Do we feel comfortable with the use and euthanasia of animals for the improvement of human and wildlife too?

I find it is important to first mention the 150 years of medical advances due to the use of animals in research. These advances have benefit humans as well as animals. Advances in the medical field were possible by scientist using animals. Among the discoveries were the use of insulin for diabetes, new drugs for the treatment of mental illness, asthma inhale medicine, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson disease, and vaccine for polio, diphtheria, rubella and hepatitis. Cancer treatments have improved in the past 30 years with biomedical research. Six, of the discoveries were recognized with a Nobel Prize including: bone-marrow transplant.

Animal testing for wildlife has also resulted in many life-saving treatments for domestic animals like cats, dogs, farm animals and endangered species. Organ transplants, artificial joints, vaccines for rabies, hepatitis, tetanus and feline leukemia contributed to longer, healthier lives for animals.

As scientist continues to research cures for many ailments affecting humans and animals, they are working in replacing animals when possible with computer models and growing cells in tissue cultures, they also refine their test to provide the most humane conditions to the animals. It is worth mention that American Medical Association, College of Surgeons and Veterinary Medical Association recognized the importance of the advances in the field of medical research through the use of animals But it is yet not possible to replace the use of animals for all medical research as it is the case with the study of tumors and how they spread to other parts of the body. It is not possible to do the study on test tubes. Mice are used for this study because of their genetic (DNA) similarities with human.

Researching answers to my earlier questions regarding the justification of animal use for medical research, has given me an informative insight into the medical and scientific advances achieved by many years of researching to understand how the human body works and how to treat, prevent and eradicate many diseases that affect humans and animals as well. In contrast, there is still much work to be done to treat these animals in the most humane and compassionate way possible to minimize their pain and suffering in the name of medicine.

                                                                    Works cited                             

www.understandinganimalresearch.org.UK

Newton, David E. The animal experimentation debate. HV 4915.N49 2013

As I continue to research more on the controversial topic of Animal Testing, an important question has surfaced that will be the restricted topic for my paper. Is the use of animals for medical research a necessity? In order to find an answer to this question, we must first look at what those in support and against the use of animal testing for medical advancement are saying.

According to the US-based Foundation for biomedical research, the use of animals has help save countless human lives and the improvement of veterinary health. Among the medical advances are the discovery of insulin and hepatitis C, vaccines for diseases like polio, tetanus small pox, hepatitis B, complicated heart surgeries like coronary heart bypass and heart transplants, antibiotics and blood transfusions, chemotherapy, join replacement, multiple sclerosis and the treatment of AIDS as a chronic disease.

More than 95% of the animal’s uses in the medical research are rats and mice with only 3% used are dogs, cats and primates. Many animals especially primates, shared about 90% of their genetic DNA with humans. Scientists are able to use this advantage to test for possible side effects and allergic reactions. The testing also helps scientist develop safe and reliable medication to treat other animals for various diseases. Breakthroughs in veterinarian medicine have been possible due to the use of animals in laboratories.\

In comparison, those who are against animal testing will dispute these statements, arguing the results of the testing are unreliable predictions for human health based on the physiological and anatomical differences between animals and humans. For example, the use of Acetaminophen is poisonous to cats but therapeutic to humans, penicillin is toxic to Guinean pigs but not to humans, or morphine that suppresses pain in humans but causes hyper-activity in cats. Another factor that is considered to play a role in the unreliable results, is that animals are kept in an unnatural and stressful environment (laboratories), therefore causing a change in their natural behavior and responses.

Ethical and moral issues are also on the debate since animals undergoing testing can be subject to pain and suffering and ultimately death either during treatment of by euthanized injections. Let’s not forget the issue of financial support. Most medical research centers are granted millions of dollars in grants for animal research. (National Institute of Health being the largest single funding agency). Is this a major incentive in continuing the research?

I feel both side have legitimately points to be considered and respected before I can personally say if one is right or wrong and if ultimately the use of animals for medical research should continue or be replaced by a non-animal testing method.

Works cited:

www.news-medical.net/category/Medical-Research-News.aspx

www.satherhealth.org/blog.php.id=175