The Use of Animals in Research

Animal tests have been used to determine the safety of almost every medical procedure, device, and treatment since the 1900s.

Any advocate of animal testing will quickly defend the practice with this statement. Many claim that anti-vivisectionists are against science. However, this is not true. There are many scientists involved in the fight against animal cruelty in the laboratory. Also, many animal rights advocates are looking not to immediately abolish the use of animals in research, but rather to follow the rules established by the three R's, and to find more ethical alternatives to this testing.

The first successful use of animal experimentation came in 1908. Rhesus monkeys were infected with polio during an experiment which determined that polio affects the spine. The same scientist continued his experiments on rhesus monkeys, later discovering the Rh blood factor, and a vaccine to prevent the dangerous immune response to Rh compatibility.

Throughout the years, animal testing has helped develop vaccines for diseases such as chicken pox and the flu, as well as understanding of and treatment for genetic diseases like narcolepsy and diabetes. It has been used to research other diseases, such as AIDS, the flu, and Alzheimer's. There is no doubt that the use of animals in research has aided science through the years.

Animals are also used in cosmetic and household product testing throughout the world. These are the tests that are so vehemently opposed by many groups. Cosmetic testing has decreased dramatically in the past 20 years due to political, social, and economic pressure, as well as the introduction of many new alternative methods of testing. Cosmetic testing is seen as cruel and unnesscessary by many. Two common forms of cosmetic testing are the LD50 test and the Draize test. LD50 tests for the toxicity of a substance by force feeding it to animals. It looks for the dosage which causes a mortality rate of 50% in its subjects. During a Draize eye test, subjects' eyes are sprayed with a substance to test for irritation.

Of course, no one can forget the use of animals to research and improve veterinary medicine. It seems right and proper that they should be used for this purpose. Just as human medicine is continually improved upon, animal medicine is too. This way, our animal friends may live longer, healthier lives, and may be better understood by their human counterparts.

HISTORY OF ANIMAL TESTING
Quick Facts Usage Disadvantages Alternatives Sources	Animal tests have been used to determine the safety of almost every medical procedure, device, and treatment since the 1900s. Any advocate of animal testing will quickly defend the practice with this statement. Many claim that anti-vivisectionists are against science. However, this is not true. There are many scientists involved in the fight against animal cruelty in the laboratory. Also, many animal rights advocates are looking not to immediately abolish the use of animals in research, but rather to follow the rules established by the three R's, and to find more ethical alternatives to this testing. The first successful use of animal experimentation came in 1908. Rhesus monkeys were infected with polio during an experiment which determined that polio affects the spine. The same scientist continued his experiments on rhesus monkeys, later discovering the Rh blood factor, and a vaccine to prevent the dangerous immune response to Rh compatibility. Throughout the years, animal testing has helped develop vaccines for diseases such as chicken pox and the flu, as well as understanding of and treatment for genetic diseases like narcolepsy and diabetes. It has been used to research other diseases, such as AIDS, the flu, and Alzheimer's. There is no doubt that the use of animals in research has aided science through the years. Animals are also used in cosmetic and household product testing throughout the world. These are the tests that are so vehemently opposed by many groups. Cosmetic testing has decreased dramatically in the past 20 years due to political, social, and economic pressure, as well as the introduction of many new alternative methods of testing. Cosmetic testing is seen as cruel and unnesscessary by many. Two common forms of cosmetic testing are the LD50 test and the Draize test. LD50 tests for the toxicity of a substance by force feeding it to animals. It looks for the dosage which causes a mortality rate of 50% in its subjects. During a Draize eye test, subjects' eyes are sprayed with a substance to test for irritation. Of course, no one can forget the use of animals to research and improve veterinary medicine. It seems right and proper that they should be used for this purpose. Just as human medicine is continually improved upon, animal medicine is too. This way, our animal friends may live longer, healthier lives, and may be better understood by their human counterparts.

HISTORY OF ANIMAL TESTING