-
Asked by fireland to Indi, Jarv, John, Ken, Vicky on 13 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by pipsterrrrrrrr.
Question: do you think that it is wrong to experiment on animals?
- Keywords:
-
John Prytherch answered on 12 Mar 2012:
This is a difficult question and lots of people will all feel differently about it.
For me, I think it is wrong to experiment needlessly on animals (for instance, testing make up) but that in some cases, such as testing of important drugs where there is no other option available, it can be the right thing to do.
Luckily in this country we have quite good restrictions on the kind of animal testing that is allowed, to try and prevent any unnecessary cruelty.
-
Vicky Young answered on 12 Mar 2012:
Animal testing is controversial however there is no way that we could have made all the advances in healthcare without animal testing.
In the UK we have very strict laws on animal testing and they animals are not aloud to suffer in any great way, nor are they killed in any painful ways. Animal testing is usually only used when we absolutely need to test on animals and we need to apply for permission to do so.
Its a horrible topic and no scientist will every enjoy this type of testing. Although I agree with animal testing I have never personally tested on animals and I’m not sure that I could if I was asked.
-
Ken Dutton-Regester answered on 12 Mar 2012:
Yeah this is a very personal yet juicy question- for me, I see the benefits of it and see it as a ‘necessary evil’ when the situation demands it. The use of animals in research is very tightly controlled and requires ethics approval. The animals are well looked after and researchers do their best to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. You may hear in the news occasionally of some animal abuse in research settings, but if this is the case, it is very rare, represents the minority, the problems will get fixed really quickly and those people in control won’t have a job anymore. Some researchers have the opinion that animal research does not have a place in a science. However, sometimes using animals in experiments can’t be avoided and essentially saves thousands of people’s lives (I am with John here talking about important drug research). I have actually done some experiments on mice before but if it was up to me, I would not personally put my hand up to do use them in experiments. In the same sense, I wouldn’t object for them to be used.
-
Indi Ghangrekar answered on 13 Mar 2012:
It is wrong if it is unnecessary or if the animals are not cared for well. However, most countries have very strict laws about doing research on animals and, in the UK, you have to apply to the Home Office for a license to do it. In the license you have to justify that you cannot use any other method to do the research and that you have thought about the 3Rs – reduce, replace and refine the use of animals in experiments.
Throughout animals have to be cared for well and the Home Office sends inspectors to do random visits to any research institutions that experiment on animals. These inspectors have the power to fine or send to prison someone not looking after the animals well and going against what the license allows.
It’s really good that nowadays we have a lot of alternatives to minimise use of animals in research and although it is unfortunate that animals still have to be used in some cases, it is only done out of necessity to help understand, prevent and cure diseases.
What are you views about it @fireland and @pipsterrrrr? Do you think it is always wrong? Or do you agree that sometimes it may be necessary?
Comments
fireland commented on :
Aah, but why animals rather than humans?
Vicky commented on :
After the animal testing stage there is a variety of clinical trials where scientists test new drugs and treatments on humans. But your right, why not humans to begin with? That is a valid argument that has been raised time and time again.
The sad answer is that with animals we can breed them to have specific genes and be genetically identical which is important in some experiments. We can also sacrifice them and analyse their organs and tissues for results we couldn’t get from humans.
Its a hard topic and there is no real right or wrong. Its important that people stick to what you believe in these situations and as a scientist you can avoid animal testing quite easily if you want to.
Indi commented on :
You’re right @fireland but nowadays we can test on humans by doing cell culture and working with stem cells. Unfortunately, working with human stem cells can be more tricky as current legislation is very restrictive on using human stem cells. If we could use them a bit more easily, it may reduce how much we use animals in research.