Mary Armantrout

Spring 2023 English 2010

Professor Smith

April 27, 2023

The Debate on Animal Testing

Introduction

Have you ever been sick or gotten a shot at the doctor and wondered where the medicine

came from or how they figured out how to make it? Many developments in both the medical and

science field have been made by animal testing. Animal testing also known as animal

experimentation, refers to the use of animals in medical or scientific research to

determine the effectiveness of new treatments, drugs, and products. Animal testing has been a

controversial topic for decades. Some argue that it is necessary in order to make advancements

and progress. Others argue that it is cruel and unnecessary.

So, is animal testing right or wrong? This essay will be examining the belief that animal

testing is unethical and wrong.

This essay will be arguing the belief in animal testing being wrong. It will do so by

making and supporting the following points. First, it will discuss how animal testing is unethical,

unjust, and cruel. Second, it will cover how the results aren’t always accurate. Lastly, it will go

over how there are better alternative methods.

Reason 1

First, it will be discussing how animal testing is unethical, unjust, and cruel. Many people

including myself believe that animals deserve to have rights, therefore they should not be
subjected to experimentation. Animals are living just like we are and experience pain and

suffering just as we do. Therefore, using them for science and medical experiments is cruel and

unjust. An article I examined about animal testing, discusses how testing is often done on

animals that are not able to consent to an experiment, like mice and rats. This raises further

ethical concerns.

Counterclaim

Others claim that they are just animals no one likes like mice and rats, so what’s the

harm? Just because they are testing on animal people aren’t as fond of doesn’t mean it isn’t cruel

or unjust. For example, it would be like experimenting on your dog just because the dog can’t

speak to us or say no doesn’t mean it isn’t experiencing feelings of discomfort and fear. Many

people would never think to do that to their pets so why should we be doing it to any animal at

all?

Moreover, animal testing often subjects animals to harmful substances and

producers, like toxic chemicals and surgical operations. This type of testing can result in distress,

pain, and even sometimes death. That to me just seems unnecessary and inhumane. Many

animals are not able to express their discomfort and or consent to the experiment which raised

questions of the mortality of using them for scientific research.

Reason 2

Second, it will cover how the results aren’t always accurate. The main purpose of animal

testing is often used as a way to test the effectiveness of new products, drugs, and treatments. But

they are animals, not humans so this makes me wonder about the validity of these tests. Animals

are not the same as humans, and the results of testing may not be an accurate reflection of the

effects
the products or treatments have on humans.

An article I read during my research discussed how some drugs that are first tested on

animals and appear to be effective and safe to use can cause harm or even death when given to

humans. This is because animals and humans have different physiology and immune systems

that are built differently. Therefore, their systems and human systems respond differently to

drugs or other substances. In addition to this, there is ethical concern about animal testing in

scientific research, as they might not accurately reflect the complexity of human conditions or

diseases.

Reason 3

Lastly, it will go over how there are better alternative methods. Why use animals when

the results aren’t always accurate and there are better alternative methods? Recently, there had

been a growing interest in alternative methods to animal testing.

An example of an alternative method is vitro testing. Vitro testing involves the study of

cells or tissues in a lab. This allows for a more controlled environment. Scientists can

have a more accurate control ground and experiment group. It allows for fewer variables. This

method is becoming increasingly popular because it can provide more accurate reliable results

than regulated animal testing.

Another alternative method is computer simulations. Computer simulations use computer

models to show and demonstrate the effects of whatever is being tested whether that’s disease or

drugs on humans. These simulations can be very helpful in identifying potential drug candidates

and reducing the need for animal testing. Other alternatives include micro-dosing and tissue

cultures.

Counterclaim
 On the opposing side, many people argue that the alternative methods are expensive. This

is a common misconception. Animal testing can be extremely expensive. The costs are often

passed on to the customers or consumers. This causes higher costs for treatments and products.

The testing process can be lengthy and time-consuming. This has a negative impact on the

industries that are reliant on the development of new products. For example, the pharmaceutical

industry. Furthermore, the two alternative methods I discussed are both more accurate and cost-

efficient. This will reduce costs and speed up the development processes.

The biggest argument for the counterclaim in this argumentative essay is animal testing

has been and still is necessary for making both medical and scientific advancements. Supporters

of animal testing believe that it is very important and crucial to advancing both the medical and

science fields. Animal testing has played a huge role in both medical and scientific research.

To start, this section will first cover the role it has played in the medical field It has helped the

development of many cures and treatments for numerous diseases. Without animal testing, many

vital drugs would not exist today. This includes things like insulin for diabetes, chemotherapy,

and polio vaccines. Since we have seen success in testing for such vital medical procedures and

drugs why would we stop and risk not being as successful?

Next, it will discuss the role animal testing has played in the science field. Animal testing

has provided scientists with the ability to study the effects of new treatments and drugs on a

living organism. This information is critical for ensuring that the new treatments and drugs are

effective and safe for humans to use. There is no other method that can replicate the complex

interactions that occur within a living breathing organism. This is why many people feel that

animal testing is the best way to ensure the safety of new treatments and drugs before starting

human trials.
 Although there has been success in animal testing and we wouldn’t be where we are

without it, it doesn’t change the fact that it is unethical and wrong. Why continue something so

controversial and problematic if there are proven alternative methods that have almost no

downsides? I feel there is no real point in continuing animal testing given the facts and points I

discussed.

Conclusion

Animal testing is a controversial topic that raised quite a few ethical, economic, and

scientific concerns. While there are arguments in favor of animal testing, such as we wouldn’t be

where we are without it. The argument against it completely outweighs that.

In conclusion, this essay has shown why animal testing is unethical and wrong. First, it

discussed how animal testing is unethical, unjust, and cruel. Second, it covered how the results

aren’t always accurate. Lastly, it went over how there are better alternative methods.
 Work Cite

Akhtar, Aysha. "The Flaws and Human Harms of Animal Experimentation." Cambridge

Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, vol. 25, no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 364-378

Doke, Sonali Kashinath, and Shashikant C. Dhawale. “Alternatives to Animal Testing: A

Review.” Journal of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society, vol. 23, no. 3, Elsevier BV, July

2015, pp. 223–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2013.11.002.

Pritt, Stacy L. "The Ethics of Animal Research." American Society for Microbiology, 1 Nov.

2016, www.asm.org/Articles/2016/November/The-Ethics-of-Animal-Research.

Ranganathan, Prerna, and Aysha Akhtar. "The Ethics of Animal Research." Harvard Health Blog,

Harvard Health Publishing, 19 Apr. 2018, www.health.harvard.edu/blog

Save the Animals: Stop Animal Testing |. www.lonestar.edu/stopanimaltesting.htm

Scholarly Articles on Animal Experimentation: History, Legislation and Activism.

www.gale.com/open-access/animal-experimentation

Using Animals for Testing: Pros Versus Cons. www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/using-animals-

testing-pros-versus-cons.html.