Animal testing, also known as animal experiments is the act of using non-human animals in research, development projects or scientific experiments. Statistics reveal that, each year millions of animals such as dogs, cats, rats, mice, ferrets, hamsters and monkeys experience physical and mental torture due to scientific practices. Although some believe that these experiments are necessary on grounds of advancement of medicine, most people believe that these experiments are cruel, unethical barbaric and outdated. One of the biggest disadvantages identified in animal testing is the harming, confinement and infliction of pain. During the experiments, the animals used are forced to inhale or swallow vast amounts of test substances, which are often toxic and poisonous. Additionally, animals are used in the experiments and not human beings. This means that any results derived from the tests might or might not be useful to the humans. If the results obtained are termed useless, then for no reason, the animal would have suffered.
Animal testing is extremely risky therefore, should not be allowed since it involves extrapolating data located in animals by using it for humans. This is because animals have different genes, proteins and metabolic pathways from that of humans. Although it is true that, these experiments help improve science, they also hinder medical developments. For example, in previous years, patient studies revealed a connection between cancer and tobacco use. Many scientists held this to be true since exceptionally strong evidence supported this relationship. However, during animal testing, tobacco repeatedly failed in producing cancer in the test subjects. Since the tests failed, warnings regarding the dangers of cigarette were dismissed for many years.
Animal rights advocates argue that, the act of testing on animals is unnecessary and cruel. Most of these advocates believe that animal testing is just like sexism or racism. According to these...