Joana Socarras
ENC1101
Professor Gray
November 20, 2013

Do we really love animals?
The truth behind animal research and testing

Animal research and testing has been a huge controversial topic in the U.S. For many years, lots of organizations like PETA have created movements to eliminate this completely but without very much success. Personally, I can’t find any positives to animal research and testing but the majority of the U.S population does since animals are used in most major companies and research projects performed by doctors. Animal testing should be eliminated altogether. To begin, doctors race to find a cure to many illnesses that come up with humans. They work long and hard trying to figure out a way to stop diseases and illnesses but how are they so sure that it’ll work and not affect a human negatively when they are exposed to it? That’s where the animals come in. People are putting animal’s lives at risk just to save humans. Is it really fair? In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed the Animal Welfare Act also known as the Laboratory Welfare Act. Although by passing this law, the population was tricked into thinking that animals would be safe and better accommodated. Little did they know, the real terms of this act. The Animal Welfare Act only regulates cage size, cleanliness, and food and water, but does not limit the procedures that can be done to the animals. (Animal 1) This is the only act in the U.S that tries to make acceptable standards for the treatment of animals during research and testing. Now, only some animals are protected under this act. The animals that are excluded include rats, birds, farm animals, cold-blooded animals and laboratory-bred mice. It is estimated that about 20-25 million animals are used each year for research and testing (Animal 1) but sadly, most don’t make it. To add, even though this act is in full force, it doesn’t mean that they are still being treated how the act states. There are many organizations that strongly oppose of the use of any animals in research or testing, regardless of the conditions. For example, PETA and the Humane Society are the ones who are known the most in the U.S. They are the two most active organizations in this field. Even though they have succeeded in reducing the use of dogs and cats in research, it is still alarming the number of animals being used. Recently, in May of 2007, Lerner Research Institute in Cleveland was put under investigation because a neurosurgeon cause a brain aneurysm in an anesthetized dog. A brain aneurysm is when the arteries in your brain develop weak spots causing these spots to fill up with blood and may rupture in the brain. (Brain 2) The doctor performing this surgery was showing a group of 20-25 salespeople a medical device. He allowed these people with no knowledge of medical training to attempt the procedure on the dog. This dog was later “destroyed” by the clinic as said in the article because of the damage caused to his brain. (U.S 1) This dog’s fate was unethical and inhuman. Stories like this is what moves the Humane society and PETA to fight for animal rights and eliminate this horror completely. In 1959, two scientists by the name of Rusell and Burch established a model-based research called “The Three R’s”. The three “R’s” are replacement, reduction and refinement. Most people who feel that animal research is necessary but don’t like the idea of how the animals are mistreated, are usually in favor of this. Replacement refers to methods that avoid or replace using animals in testing. Instead, they use computer models, human volunteers or animal cells, tissues and/or organs from animals killed in a humane way. Reduction refers to methods with minimal animal use. In this method, scientists do their research by taking CT scans, x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs. While refinement refers to improvements in scientific procedures that help minimize the pain and suffering of the animal. Examples of refinement methods include non-invasive techniques, training the animals, and accommodating to the animals lifestyle. Most people might agree that theses three methods are more humane than others, however, they are still not entirely a solution. Most animal research labs now a days are very secretive because of the simple reason that many extremist act out against them in inappropriate ways. There are always cases where people sneak into these labs and release all the animals and also destroy the property. Even though I understand the good intentions of the people, it is not the proper way to solve this problem. Having these labs be more secretive in fact can be worse. The people who control the animal-testing lab will feel that if no one knows that they exist, they can do whatever they want. They are more likely to mistreat and misuse the animals because they wont have to be worried about abusing the law. All laboratories, if there should be any, should be highly controlled and regulated. There should be inspectors coming in and out constantly making sure all the animals are being treated fairly and properly. It is alarming how many well-known companies use these types of animal laboratories just to make a bigger profit. For example, the companies that test on animals include Vaseline, Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena, and Cover girl. These are only some companies. There are about thousands of companies that still test on animals. Animal testing is not necessary to benefit the human society. There are many cheaper and faster alternative methods that help determine if a product is safe enough to be released to the public. Examples include artificial human skin and robotic technology that can test thousands of chemicals at once using cells grown in the lab. Most companies argue that they test on animals to avoid when consumers who have purchased their products are suing them. (Why 1) The FDA allows companies to put any product out on the market if it has been animal tested, disregarding what happened to the animal at the end of the test. If a cosmetic or household product poisoned, blinded or sometimes killed the animal during testing, they are often marketed anyway. In most court cases involving consumers and companies, the companies usually try to resolve the case without any further action in the court by offering them a large sum of money to basically avoid investigation of there inhumane establishment. If the majority of people in the U.S had an idea that companies still market products that cause a negative effect on animals during testing, I believe they would take action to eliminate these types of companies or change their ways of testing. In addition, just like humans, animals do have feelings. Animals are capable to show different types of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, anxiety and fear. For example, an experiment recently done showed that when mice are exposed to pain, they display facial expressions that are similar to those humans show when in pain. Research has also proven that animals can also experience depression and psychological disorders. During testing, animals are not given any pain medication or anesthesia. When testing shampoos, chemicals that are going to be used in the shampoo are applied to the animals shaved skin or eyes. If the chemical is being tested in their eyes, researchers observe and record the state for the eye for 21 days with absolutely no medical treatment. (11 myths 2) Most of us are not aware of all the conditions and abuse that go into that one bottle of shampoo or that bottle of perfume you spend eighty dollars for. Their needs to be respect to the safety of animals just as much as safety for us human beings. Animal safety has to be stopped or at least tighter restrictions and regulations need to be set. Most companies strongly enforce the production of products which don’t allow the use of animal testing but it is up to us support them. Animals are just like us, living and breathing. Imagine if your pet was used in any of those testing facilities. How would you feel?

Works cited

"11 Myths About Animal Testing." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

"Brain Aneurysm Symptoms, Surgery, Causes, Recovery, Treatment, Coiling, Prognosis, Survival Rate, Signs, Statistics, Rupture - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

"Why Do Companies Continue to Test Products on Animals?" PETA Why Do Companies Continue to Test Products on Animals Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"Animal Welfare Act." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"U.S. to Probe Dog's Death in Medical Test." Chicago Tribune. N.p., 13 Jan. 2007. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.