The Use of Animals for Experiments, Essay Example

The use of animals for experiments is something that evokes a number of ethical questions.  Often referred to as animal testing, the use of experimentation on animals can put animals into harm’s way, often unnecessarily.  It becomes clear that further measures need to be taken to eliminate the need for animals to be tested and experimented upon, which has become a problem today in society.

The Animal

The animal is often classified in a hierarchal definition.  In this system, simple organisms are listed towards the bottom of this spectrum, while others at the very top.  For instance, bacteria and insects would be regulated to the former category, and primates, mammals, and birds to the latter category.

The normal system of classification is rather simple.  In this hierarchal system, animals are judged according to their nervous system, or more accurately to the complexity of their nervous system.  Thus, mental complexity and the ability to feel pain are the primary moral grounds upon which it becomes relevant to the current subject, in the use of animals for experiments.

This already creates a number of problems.  Evolutionary theory is different in degree than in kind, and it is according to a line with different branches, as opposed to that of a linear progression.  The characteristics that are compared can also be confused.  For instance, animals, and even humans, may be superior or inferior to one another based on a certain characteristic or cognitive function.

The Nature of Animal Testing

Animal testing takes on a variety of applications.  Drugs, pesticides, cosmetics, and other products are commonly tested on animals.  This is actually a requirement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that new drugs be tested on animals before use is allowed for humans.

The use of animals for experiments is rather widespread.  In fact, a number of agencies within the United States use animals for experimentation, as the federal government is actively involved in animal testing.  For instance, the FDA, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and a considerable number more are involved in animal experimentation.

Not surprisingly, animal testing is a multibillion dollar industry.  In respect to the companies that use animals to test their products, and even to those that provide the animals for testing, there is much money to be made in this industry.  The government remains the main source of funding for research.

The Animals Used for Animal Testing

The two types of animals used for testing becomes quite undermining, before the topic of ethics is even directly met.  The first type of animals used for experiments are referred to as purpose-bred animals.  Evident from the name, these animals are specifically bred for research.  Commercial laboratories or individual breeders sell the animals; or the laboratory itself can breed the animal for experimental use.

Random-source animals make up the second type of animals used for testing.  The term refers to cats and dogs obtained from shelters, pounds, dealers, or the racetrack.  Related to random-source animals are those that are captured in the wild.  Those that are found may be captured and sold for experimental use.

There are standards that protect these animals.  The Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service (PHS) policy overlap in coverage and continue to amend its legislation for animal rights, which occurs at the federal and local level.  However, there is much debate and many believe that further strides must be realized.

Ethics

There is much debate over ethics in relationship to animal testing.  Viewpoints have been altered and changed over the course of the 20^th century (Rollin).  Of course, there are many proponents who advocate the use of animal testing, with limiting restrictions and conditions, and others who believe that it should not take place at all.  The clearest ethical position is that of the minimal amount of animal suffering with the use of animal testing, to realize the scientific and medical goals (Animal Welfare Informational Center).

One particular viewpoint can be seen in philosopher Tom Regan.  In response to the moral rights of animals, he argues that animals are beings that contain desires, thoughts, and self-consciousness (346).  Thus, they have value and should not be subjected to such experimentation.  It should be noted that Regan is aware of the different between killing animals and killing humans.  However, this is hardly the case with the multibillion dollar industry that uses animals in a variety of manners.

Problems

There are clearly a number of misconceptions, however.  In respect to the earlier discussion on the development of animals, it is not simple to say that a certain animal is not exempt from these conditions upon which they are allowed to be tested.  Thus, there are many complications that would not warrant the blatant use of animals in this manner.  It remains unseen why animals must be subjected to this pain, and certainly for a product that does not have a great importance.

Even when certain animals are thought to be excluded, this is not the case.  Animals labeled higher up on the hierarchal scale are still being used.  Animals that clearly feel pain should not be subjected to testing, not to mention that minimal testing on animals on lower levels of cognition should automatically be determined to be examined upon.

More Than Pain

Animal testing harms and kills animals.  Experiments are performed in which animals must be relieved by euthanasia.  This is not just a matter of whether an animal may feel pain for an instant, but that animals’ lives are sacrificed at times for products that could be determined to be safe in other ways, and especially for those that are less vital.

It should be noted that there are a significant number of complications to this subject.  There have been a long number of books that have identified some of the nuances of the negative aspects of animal testing.  There are many more frightened questions and considerations for the animals than there are answers.

Positive Steps

It should be clear that steps must be made for the safety and ethical correctness, if you will, of animals.  Animals should not have to suffer for the multibillion dollar industries, and certainly the less significant products, such as cosmetics, in which animals are subjected.  It is clearly not moral in a respective amount of cases, even on the surface.

There are simple ways to eliminate animals from testing.  For instance, one ground in which this progress is being seen is in respect to education.  Animals are not necessary for testing for the purpose of education.  It is simply not vital that they be used, which is one of many areas in which progress has already been seen.

Alternatives

Alternatives to animal testing have been defined.  Cell and tissue tests exist that can replace animal test.  Artificial skin tests have been developed that can save rabbits from painful tests.  There is a photo toxicity test that can replace mice and other animals from the testing of these medicines and other products.  This is just the tip of the iceberg, by the way.

Computer models and other methods have been identified.  These methods allow animals to be replaced by technology, which might not have been possible in the early testing of animals.  However, it should be taken advantage of; additionally, these methods are also more cost-effective, rapid, and reliable than animal tests.

Conclusion

There are a number of problems that exist in animal testing.  An industry dominated by money and a system that is not aware of the complexities of animals and cognition, there are many concessions being made that result from animals being taken advantage of.  Animal experimentation is certainly not humane in several regards.

Animal testing can find relief through alternative methods.  Governments need to keep advancing toward better control of the situation.  Alternative methods exist that take advantage of technology, which can be more effective and cheaper than using animals.  Of course, that results in the undermining of ethical standards for the treatment of animals.  This represents one direction that can solve this unfortunate problem.

Works Cited

Animal Welfare Information Center. 1985 Amendment to Animal Welfare Act. National Agriculture Library. United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed 27 February 2008.

Singer, Peter (Ed). A Companion to Ethics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1991. “Animals” by Lori Gruen. Print.

Rollin, Bernard. “The Regulation of Animal Research and the Emergence of Animal Ethics: A Conceptual History.” Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics Volume 27 Number 4: 285-304. Print.