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