Animals as Research Subjects, Essay Example

Researchers have been making good use of animals in research to collect information concerning the health complications that affect animals as well as human beings and enhance the safety of procedures applicable in medical treatment (Taylor, 2003). Most of the health complications and diseases must be studied using a living animal and in case of ethical issues in using humans in research, then the only alternative involves the use of animals.

Animals are perfect research subjects because of their biological similarity with human beings. They are commonly affected by most of the diseases that affect man and their relative short lifecycle makes them suitable subjects as the phenomenon under study can be observed in their entire lifespan as well as across a number of generations. The environment of the animal including such aspects as lighting, diet and temperature can easily be regulated in the course of research and these aspects could hardly be controlled in humans (Taylor, 2003). An important consideration is that, humans cannot just be exposed to some health risks that are associated with research, thus making animals to be best substitutes in this regard. The process of drug development and determination of appropriate medical procedures for animals and humans can only be authenticated through research. Although researchers might discover such procedures and medication through alternative approaches, testing the results for their effectiveness and safety can only be done using animal subjects (Taylor, 2003).

However, some people have considered this action as being morally wrong. They argue that, the quality of life of the animals used in research is reduced (Taylor, 2003).  However, a total removal of these animals from the laboratories is a limitation to information on health as well as diseases which in turn translates to impediments in the development in new approaches to treatment. It is however important for the scientists to consider all possible ways of minimizing the harm that they are likely to cause to the animals in the process of research. In this regard, a consideration of a principle commonly identified as ‘three Rs’ is worth consideration. The ‘three Rs’ principle entails Replace, Reduce and Refine.

Reference

Taylor, A., (2003). Animals and ethics: An overview of the philosophical debate. Ont: Broadview Press.