Prompt: Many believe that it is inhumane to use animals (mammals) for experiments and research because animals share our biology to an extent.  They exhibit emotion and are known to feel pain.  Others point to the use of animals as a necessity to learning more about incurable diseases, emotions and human functioning that are part of every day life.  These advocates of animal research, oddly enough, use the same reasoning in defense of their position as animal rights activists.  

Question: Should animals be used in medical and psychological research?  Should any limitations be placed on the use of animals for research?

Kimara.P

I agree with Lauren. Animal testing is a very sensitive and controversial topic. I fully understand the need to test animals as an effort to survivie (by survive I mean toprevent and  fight off harmful microscopic organisms that may result in health issues or even death), but only to a certain extent. Many must understand, this is America. By that, I'm saying that our first laws and constitution protect the rights of Amrican citizens. Either we use animal testing to aid us in our survival, or we die. I can honestly say that if anyone doesn't agree with me, then the next time you are sick, injured, or in an unhealthy condition, don't take any antibiotics or go to the doctor for medicine and anestetics. I say this because those anestetics you would use have been tested on animals, and without those experiments, you would unfortunately be out of luck. I feel doctors and scientists should be able to perform experiments on animals. If doctors take an oath to protect and help a patient in need with all of his/her will power, and if animal testing is what it takes, then i guess it'll be that way. However, i feel that there should be limitations set for animal testing allowing scientists and doctors to solely create medicines that fight off or prevent SEVERE cases of disease or infection. Testing animals in order to treat miniscule issues such as minor head aches, upset stomach, pain relievers or manufacture the perfect polish, lipgloss, perfume, etc. is higly unnecessary.