Testing Of Animals example essay topic

Living in the twenty-first century society is beginning to raise questions about the importance and relevance of issues that could very easily alter our way of living. Animal testing is one of these issues. When an opinion regarding whether or not animal testing is ethical is mentioned in conversation or our news, citizens generally begin to question its morality. In debates, the issues on animal testing should be divided into two sub-categories: what is necessary for survival, and what is moral. In looking at research and examples, is seems as though animal testing for the common good of mankind should be socially accepted by those lobbying for the protection of animals because one day they, themselves, could be in need of the technology that was derived from the testing of animals. To improve medical science and to continue saving human lives, medical testing is the only proper path to success.

On the flipside just for a moment, the only logical alternative to animal testing would be human testing. However, research using humans as the test subjects would be immoral as humans cannot be confined to a controlled environment such as those in which test animals dwell. "Human testing would be viewed by many as insanity towards science, insanity at its purest (Wong 1)". Due to the unethical treatment of humans that human testing would entail, this debate continuously leads back to animal testing. "Human testing and alternative methods are difficult and at times even impossible for obtaining valid scientific data" and in this case what better alternative exists than animal testing (Wong 3)? Animal testing for the benefit of humankind should without a doubt be accepted.

However, animal testing for cosmetics and the pure vanity of the population should be considered cruel and immoral. In the past, animal testing has helped us cure certain diseases. If the benefit of testing new medication on animals is so great, is animal testing in this respect wrong? Surely the greater good must be considered. Of the innumerable medical advancements that have been made over time, many have been achieved through animal testing (Wong 3).

For instance, our current generation of children and parents has been able to live a little better due to the discovery of the polio vaccine. The polio vaccine was introduced in 1961 by Albert Sabin and within the last forty years polio has been completely eliminated (Sabin 189). "Without animal research, polio would still be claiming thousands of lives each year", says Sabin (189). The medical advancements that have been made through animal testing and research greatly outweigh the loses. People who would have lost their lives to polio or other fatal diseases are now alive and well. Because of medical advancements through animal testing, outbreaks of small pox and polio have become so rare that we seem to know of these diseases only from history.

Medical technology alone aided us in surpassing illnesses such as measles and mumps; children do not even have to suffer through the chicken pox anymore thanks to vaccinations. People can continue protesting and viewing animal testing as morally incorrect; but the fact is, "animal testing can cause death, and physical harm to the animals, but the cause behind animal testing is to ensure a better quality of life for people in our society (Wong 7)". If researchers and physicians could find a way to save a husband, wife, or child with vital organs from another species that would be payment enough. Humans should not have to spend their lives waiting and wondering what other human being is going to pass away and be generous enough to donate their organs just so they can give life another shot.

Professionals are on the brink of some life changing medical advancements, why should we take it away from them now?

Bibliography

Sabin, Heloise. Animal Research Saves Human Lives. Wall Street Journal. 18 October 1995.
Annette T. Rotten burg. Elements of Argument: A Text and Reader. Boston: Bedford / St. Martins, 2003.
Wong, Joseph. The Dilemmas Behind Animal Testing. 1997.
15 October 2003 web.