Fight Against the Use of Animals for Laboratory Experiments - Literature review Example

number] (day month year The Fight against the Use of Animals for Laboratory Experiments: An overview Animal experimentation has been around for several centuries, from the 17th century until the present time. It was in the nineteenth century when the widespread animal experimentation took place and also public resistance against vivisection had started during this century. Vivisection is another term for animal experimentation and it literally means the cutting up of animals. During the 1980s, the animal research has declined due to public pressure and restraint in finances. However, the fast-paced technology during the mid-twentieth century had greatly increased the number of animals used in research and experiments for the advancement of science and medicine (Animal Welfare Online). As of today, it is estimated that over 100 million animals are used every year worldwide for laboratory experiments. Several animal species are used such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, birds, dogs, and primates (Animal Aid Youth Group 1), where 75% of these animals accounts for rodents and cold-blooded animals. Animal protection societies have two different views and approaches to vivisection. One is the abolitionist view which believes that animal experiments are ethically wrong. They are the people concerned of the welfare who try to improve the conditions and treatments of animals used in experiments. The two views may be deemed as different but looking closely to the ideals and visions of both will show that they are closely aligned with each other. Both groups support the three Rs approach - Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. “Abolitionists would favor complete replacement, whereas welfarist would view reduction and refinement as steps along the way to complete replacement” (Yarri 194). By examining the issues related to the animal experiments, a better understanding can be developed on how these issues can be addressed. There are different types of animal experiments that are being done worldwide which include fundamental research, biomedical research, genetic engineering, product testing, and education and training. The animal research that accounts for the greatest number of animals used is the fundamental research. This includes testing of animals on how memory works in the brain or on how to toxic substances affect the liver. Though some scientists believe that the fundamental research contributes indirectly to the advancement and development of active ingredients and therapies, anti-vivisectionist says that these finding are all overestimated (Animal Welfare Online). Next to fundamental research, the biomedical research accounts for the second largest area for animal research. The study specifically aims to study the prevention and treatment of diseases as well as the genetic and environmental factors related to disease and health. It is believed that human and veterinary medicine had relied on animal experimentation for its advancement at some degree. However, as the technology improved over the past decades an alternative in-vitro methods have been utilized such as using cell, tissues and organs culture have greatly reduced the need of biomedical research (ANZCCART Australia 11). Anti-vivisectionists also believe that instead of focusing on the diagnosis and control of disease through biomedical research, scientists and researchers should focus more on preventative medicines and the promotion of healthier lifestyles – especially epidemiology, human clinical trials, and other alternatives (Animal Welfare Online). In addition, advancements in science had stimulated the increased growth in genetic engineering. This involves the modification of genes to produce transgenetic animals. The requirement for this research is highly extensive since one transgenetic individual would need around 150 to 200 animals of the same species in order to have a successful research. This method usually results to adverse effects in animals “such as development of tumors, brain defects, limb and skull deformities, infertility, arthritis, diabetes and other metabolic disorders” (Animal Welfare Online). Issues of cloning, patenting, and xenotransplantation also arises in association with this research. Animals are also often used in wide range for product testing, wherein animals are subjected to toxic substances to assess its risks to humans. According to de Boo and Hendriksen, a more realistic approach is to first determine the levels of exposure of the said chemicals to humans before testing it to animals. Thus resulting to a decrease in the number of testing and lower the risks to animals. The EU had also already banned the testing of products such as cosmetic and toiletry with animals, but the method is still used by other countries worldwide (Animal Welfare Online). Lastly, animal experiments have been carried out for the purpose of training and education. Most of the universities and schools throughout the world have been using animals to provide students with hands-on experiences in their practical classes. Conscientious objector, however, questions the ethical justification and the usefulness of using animals for learning purposes. They have also encouraged the organizations to provide the students with an option not to participate in these practices without being scrutinized or given biases on their grades (Animal Welfare Online). Animals have also been used extensively for weapons research. This involves gruesome practices such as subjecting the animals to gunshots, explosions, exposure to poisonous chemicals, gases deadly toxins, and viruses and bacteria (Animal Aid Youth Group 2). The use of animals for research purposes are governed by national and international legislations, which may vary from each country. Testing guidelines have been established on several countries such as the countries in Europe, the US, and Japan. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had provided Test Guidelines on product testing on animals that requires proposals that demonstrates better science or animal welfare advantages (Animal Welfare Online). However, problems are greatly associated with some of the requirements are needed by companies to have the authority to market their products. Companies should be able to submit a certain amount of test data on both ingredients and their final products, these data are usually acquired from animal experimentation since it is regarded by regulatory authorities as the ‘gold standard’. Addressing these problems is also difficult due to the fact that animal models and alternative techniques have not yet been validated or not yet available commercially, which provided the defenders of the animal experiments a strong argument. Thus, the only way for animals to have liberty over these tests is for the law, test guidelines, and the attitude of regulatory authorities to realize the need to change their methods and move away from vivisection. Also, these authorities should accept and support modern non-animal test methods (Animal Welfare Online). Russell and Burch had introduced a concept called 3Rs that stands for Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement. The concept aims to reduce the number of tests done with animals, the refinement of the tests to reduce its severity and effect to the animals as well as the species that needs to be used for the testing and lastly, and its most ultimate aim, is to replace animal testing through the development of alternatives. Legislations mostly are patterned in accordance with the concept of 3Rs. However, greater support from the governing authorities is needed to fully implement the legislations. As of today, several technological advancements are leaning towards achieving the goals of the 3Rs concept (Nuffield Council of Bioethics 19). Alternative methods for non-animal testing includes In vitro research, autopsies and pathology, epidemiology, human clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, genetic research, and computer and mathematical modeling (IDA 2). In vitro research involves the study of cells, tissues and organs that are cultivated outside the living animal or human bodies (Animal Aid Youth Group 2). The cultures are usually grown in test tubes. The external controlled environment such as in a test tube or petri dish provides better results in testing the course of human disease as well as for product testing. This will also alleviate the suffering of animals during the tests since the cells, tissues, or organs are recovered from a dead animal. Also, it will reduce the number of animal killing since these cells and tissues can be propagated in the laboratory and can be used for several tests (IDA 2). The study of epidemiology involves in observing the increased incidence of disease within a population. It takes in consideration the lifestyle, environment, occupation, gender, age, family hereditary diseases, among factors. The data gathered from this method will generate a generalization on the likelihood of people to acquire or develop a certain disease (Animal Welfare Online). Clinical research has always been a critical part of medical research, which is carried out by the observation and analysis the condition of patients. The results obtained from this method highly relevant in the development of drugs and therapies however companies are still investing millions of dollars to support animal experiments that produce irrelevant results (IDA 2). Autopsies and pathologies can also replace the use of animals to diagnose disease since this method had been the key in discovering almost every disease in humans. The high cost of this method is the most significant restraint for its wider application. Several European countries have already diverted funds that were intended for animal experiments to autopsies (2). Another method aligned to clinical research is the Post-Marketing Drug Surveillance (PMDS) which operates by creating a system of reporting all the effects and side effects of medications after it had been release to the market. This practice would help health professionals to determine negative reaction of drugs and can also increase the chances of finding new uses for the drugs. However, PMDS is not mandatory and require more legislations and funding to fully implement the system (2). Genetic research includes the study of human genes that causes hereditary problems such as birth defects, cancer, and heart diseases. By altering these flaws, the scientists will be able to permanently correct abnormal genetic traits (2). Finally, the use of computer and mathematical modeling for effects of new drugs had made several feats in developing treatments for breast cancer, AIDS, and high blood pressure. This method allows scientists to improve their design of treatments and drugs for it to be more effective without using animals for testing. It can also be used to test known toxic chemical and predict its risks without the need of animal experiments (2). The use of Animal experimentation in its entire is wrong, with the present availability of alternative methods on conducting product research and research for the development of more advanced drugs that does not involve mass murdering and suffering of animals. National government authorities as well as international organizations should be more proactive in fighting for the moral status and the rights of animals. Existing legislations should be enforced and implemented effectively by channeling the funds used for animal research to other institutions that further develop the alternative methods. If scientists report that animals have the same physiological characteristics as humans, then it more just and right to depart from the practices of using them in laboratory tests. Animals should be given liberty over the cruel and gruesome experiments that research subjects them to. Thus, the 3Rs should be fully implemented and even if will take several before attaining the ultimate goal of a complete replacement, justice will soon be given to millions of animals that have died in order to benefit the improvement of human existence. Works Cited Animal Aid Youth Group. “Animal Experiments.” 2008. Web. 25 April 2012. Animal Welfare Online. “Animal Experimentation (ch. 6)”. 2007. Web. 25 April 2012. ANZCCART Australia. “Animal Experimentation: A Students Guide to Balancing the Issues.” 2005. Web. 25 April 2012. In Defense of Animals (IDA). “Animal Research and Humane Activities.” 2005. Web. 25 April 2012. Nuffield Council on Bioethics. The ethics of research involving animals. London: Nuffield Council on Bioethics. 2005. Web. 25 April 2012. Yarri, Donna. The Ethics of Animal Experiments: A Critical Analysis and Constructive Christian Proposal. New York: Oxford University Press. Web. 25 April 2012. Read More