Animal testing is needed in my opinion. There are a ton of beneficial commodities that we test on animals that society would simply refuse to let us test on humans for a variety of reasons. Medicines, for example, that treat separate illnesses are tested on animals first because its much easier for humans to morally accept that a lab rat died from unexpected side affects of a new drug rather than a human dying from the same reason. Even if scientists were to test on prisoners, it would more than likely be considered a direct violation from the Eighth Amendment, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. Also, humans are able to interpret isolation, pain, and "what's happening to them" far better than animals are, meaning that humans are capable of thinking much more in depth about their situation than an animal would, and have much more of a torturous experience than an animal would. Lastly, modern society is much more capable of accepting that a lab rat died of an unexpected side effect of a drug they were testing on it rather than a human death for the same reason. This wouldn't even be an option even if we only tested on those put on death row due to the fact that the number of prisoners being sentenced to death is much smaller than the millions of different drugs out there that need to be tested out; moreover, it may even be considered by some (or most) as torturous. All in all, I ask you to ask yourself this: Would you rather have a drug be tested out on yourself or on a lab rat?
(Ethos, pathos, logos)
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ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with this post, only because drug testing goes much farther than medicine or other drugs that is meant to help a sick human being. Animal testing is also used on experiments for other scientists, and even for makeup and other cosmetic products. That is where I draw the line, and when I began to feel as though it is unfair towards animals. I feel that there should be limits and restrictions as to how far animal testing should be taken.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of this project we did in Anatomy where we had to pick a side in the controversy over animal testing. I chose the side that favored it, purely because in a way, the testing will help us in the long run. We humans are complex, and like you said, we are able to interpret pain and feelings much more than other animals. There are guidelines and regulations that I'm sure scientists follow to ensure that animal experimentation isn't subject to torture. In my mind, torture would be starvation or the beating of an animal. But if the testing that animals go through can benefit not only the human race but other animals, I say why not? We're much more accepting of a lab rat to die rather than a human being.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with this post. At some point animal testing is taken too far. Just because we may feel pain more than them like Jeremy said doesn't make it okay. Who even said we feel pain more than animals? We aren't animals so we don't know. I think animal testing should be on serious things like diseases, and cures that can actually make the human race better. Maybe that's selfish though. If we don't use animals what would we use? The animals scientist do use are more like us in the body and head that's why they use them. Using people on death row seems a bit crazy. I mean they are going to die anyway so why not but that's a bit too much. That would become a huge problem in society. If the scientist are feeding the animals, letting them get enough sleep etc then animals testing should be okay but only for diseases and cures. Animals do feel pain.
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