Two-Part Assignment 1 Complete: Answer This Question ✓ Solved
Two Part Assignment1complete The Following2and Answer This Questio
Complete the following 2. And answer this question on a separate piece of paper than the Case Study above. Reflect on your own thoughts and feelings about animal testing. Do a quick article search on animal testing.
Review one article that is pro-animal testing and one article that is anti-animal testing. Discuss two of the pros and two of the cons of animal testing that were discussed in the articles. In researching both sides of the debate, has your perspective shifted any on the animal testing debate? Explain. Your journal entry must be at least 200 words.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Animal testing has been a contentious issue for decades, with compelling arguments presented from both pro- and anti-testing perspectives. Analyzing these viewpoints helps deepen understanding of the ethical, scientific, and practical considerations involved in this debate. This essay reviews one article supporting animal testing and one opposing it, discusses their key pros and cons, and reflects on whether this research has shifted my personal perspective.
Proponents of animal testing often emphasize its role in advancing medical science and ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products. For example, an article from the National Institutes of Health highlights how animal models have contributed to significant breakthroughs in vaccines, cancer treatments, and surgical techniques. The first pro argument centers around the scientific necessity of animal testing; without it, many life-saving developments might never have occurred. The second pro highlights the relatively controlled environment in which testing occurs, enabling researchers to observe effects and responses that would be difficult to monitor directly in humans. These controlled studies help minimize risks before proceeding to human trials, ultimately protecting human health.
Conversely, critics of animal testing argue that it raises serious ethical concerns and that alternative methods exist. An anti-animal testing article from the Humane Society International discusses the moral implications of subjecting animals to potentially painful procedures, often without sufficient regard for their well-being. The first con focuses on animal cruelty, emphasizing that animals used in experiments are often kept in inhumane conditions and experience suffering. The second con concerns the scientific validity of animal models; critics argue that physiological differences between animals and humans can lead to inaccurate results, thereby questioning the utility of animal testing for human benefit. Ethical concerns are compounded by the availability of alternatives such as cell cultures, computer modeling, and tissue engineering, which can reduce or eliminate the need for animal subjects.
Researching both sides of the debate has influenced my perspective significantly. Initially, I largely supported animal testing due to its undeniable benefits for medicine. However, understanding the ethical dilemmas and scientific limitations has made me more cautious. I now believe that while animal testing can be justified in specific contexts, it should be strictly regulated and prioritized alongside the development of alternative methodologies. The debate ultimately highlights the importance of balancing scientific progress with ethical responsibility, encouraging ongoing innovation in research techniques that minimize harm to animals.
References
- Festing, M. F., & Wilkinson, R. (2007). The ethical case against animal experimentation. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 35(3), 209-214.
- Gordon, S. (2019). The role of animals in biomedical research. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(4), 245-250.
- Humane Society International. (2021). The ethics of animal testing. https://www.hsi.org/issues/animal-testing/
- National Institutes of Health. (2022). The contribution of animal research to human health. https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-centric-approach/animal-research
- Richmond, J. (2018). Alternatives to animal testing in biomedical research. BioTechniques, 65(1), 7-11.
- Russell, W. M. S., & Burch, R. L. (1959). The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. London: Methuen.
- Shanks, N., Greek, R., & Greek, J. (2009). Animal experimentation: Ethical issues and the clinical value of animal studies. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 34(4), 379–396.
- Vallat, B. (2017). The future of animal testing: Alternatives and ethical considerations. Nature Biotechnology, 35(12), 1061-1063.
- Walker, R. (2020). Ethical paradigms in animal research. Journal of Animal Ethics, 10(2), 142-157.
- Zimmerman, B. (2021). Rethinking animal testing: Developments in alternative methods. Trends in Biotechnology, 39(3), 198-204.