Should Animals Be Used In Research Purposes?

We all in some way or the other suffer from diseases, of which some are curable while some are life threatening. It is necessary to create effective drugs to cure these fatal diseases. But the question that arises to many young minds that how do scientists carry out their research process to know whether the designed drug is effective or not. Do they experiment synthetically or is there some more deadly process behind? The answer is : yes. It is indeed ironical that for the experiment and research work of drug designing for the wellness of human beings are carried on animals.

Since the last century, a plethora of animals is used for testing drugs and other research purposes. Animal testing-a test which is done on small rodents like rabbits and mice by researchers in laboratories for performing tests which can help them to design the effective drug to combat a particular disease. Many find these processes of testing to be mandatory as it is ultimately beneficial for the mankind, while some think these as a very unethical and inhumane practice to use animals for self use.

On the other hand, it is true that research and testing on animals have significantly contributed in improving drug performance and combating disease at a faster rate. Various methods and medicines of treatment have been made through animal experimentation. Drugs against heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis etc. have been successfully developed. According to scientist, animals area better choice for experimentation because some physiological functions of animals are biologically similar to humans and are infected with similar kind of disreases. In addition, shorter life span of the animals used makes it easier to analyse them.

Animals while carrying out the experiments have to go through an agonising process. Artificial marking and tagging procedures in field of biomedical and wildlife experimentation are extremely painful for them. They are burnt, electrocuted, tortured with drug, poisoned with toxic chemicals, even tormented in psychological testing. Nevertheless, certain level of animal suffering is unbearable and unacceptable regardless the quality of research or benefit.

One of the most influential animal-rights groups is PETA(People for Ethical Treatment of Animals)has been working against the idea of using animals excessively in research fields and protecting their rights. They keep their motto as “Animals are not ours to eat” which is extremely influencing.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has taken a step to please both doctors and scientists favouring animal research and those opposing it. They have developed a plan to Replace, Refine, and Reduce animal testing and means of new research. One knows that research on animals is need of the hour and it is highly recommended for the progress of natural science. Although the use of animals and their pain can be reduced by effective alternatives but still it should be gradually replaced by other machine-based methods where there will be no need to harm the innocent lives. After all, they are also living beings and like us, they also have the right to live freely in this world.