The Use of Animal By-products for Human Medicine - Term Paper Example

The use of Animal By-products for Human Medicine The global population continues from historical times, to rely on various forms of medical applications and products, majorly so, from either plant or animal-based medicines. The field specializing in the extraction, formulation and production of these medicines, is known as ‘zoo-therapy’, with application being in the general process of therapeutics. The World Health Organization, estimates figures of up to 80% of global populations as being primary beneficiaries of the aforementioned form of medication, hence showcasing the vital role of these medicines in the contemporary times. The larger animal kingdom, as a fertile ground for various forms of medicinal products, has contributed especially through vivisection (animal experimentation). Due to the prevailing aspect of ‘Western medication’ dominating the global medical arena, animal products, and to a smaller extent, plant medicinal extracts, have been neglected. The above notwithstanding, public health, as well as the related social facets of culture (traditional knowledge) and environmental ecology, are fundamentally influenced by the presence of animal-based products. Vivisection, as practiced from early on in time, has received both acclaim and critique, in both measures, with the latter pertaining to two major subject areas. One of these has been the unethical nature of torturing animals in the quest for medication, with the other being that treatments on animals would often result in different effects, when applied to human beings. Proponents however, as Claud Bernard famously quoted, “… experiments on animals… are entirely conclusive for the toxicology and hygiene of man... the effects of these substances are the same on man as they are on animals, save for differences in degree” Claude 34). Ingredients sourced from animal parts, are not only utilized in various forms of traditional medicines, but they are increasingly being valued, especially in the preparation of herbal and modern (Romulo and Lereca 3). The paper will be organized into two main sections, which will further display the prevailing contexts influencing the need of anima-based products for human medicine. The first section will provide a background of the medical field and will be divided into two parts: the historical and culturally based background, and the prevailing contexts of the general utility of animal-based medicinal products. In the second section, I will discuss the legal and politico-economic dimensions of animal-based products, crucial in the preparation of medicines, with reference to economical, ecological, sanitary and cultural contexts. I will finally end the paper with a conclusive discussion of the future of animal-based products, with regard to the prevailing nature of their extraction and availability, as well as global viability and large-scale application. Here I will delve on why there is a need for consideration, with regard to the sustainable future utility of these products, in the growing global populations. Historical and Cultural Background Animals, as well as animal-derived products, from various parts of their bodies or organs, have through history, constituted an increasingly growing segment of medical substances’ general inventory. Their utility as sources of varying medicines is traceable to early historical times, as showcased through various cultural utilities, with this still being practiced in the field of herbal medicine. Through the aforementioned zoo-therapy, various ailments afflicting man, continue being treated and hence the importance of this form of medication to many populations. Human culture, individually/ uniquely and wholesomely, provides for a structured medical system, which utilizes different animal species, for various medicinal purposes (Costa-Neto and Eraldo 33). Amongst the myriad of therapeutic medical practices carried out within the larger global arena, zoo-therapy constitutes a vital alternative. Cultural and Historical backing/ evolution Domestic and wild animals, in addition to various by-products i.e. tusks, hones, bones, feathers, skins and hooves have historically provided core ingredients, which are vital in the preparation of various forms of preventive, protective and curative medicines. As earlier stated, cultural inclinations, as well as general geographical distribution, are core factors influential to the general utility of animal-based medicines, within the larger global arena. This is best attested to the prevailing nature of such medical products’ greater utility, in various social entities and regional arenas. Various Asian cultures, widespread throughout the greater Asian region, are fundamentally inclined towards the utility of herbal medicines. Animal-based products thus form a core component of their healing processes, through various medical products, which are accompanied by ritualized cultural traditions and beliefs. In the South American continent, populations there also do essentially rely on various animal products, for their daily medical utility, with various animals being utilized for the treatment of varying ailments (34). Scientific Evolution The greater/ enhanced utility of traditional medicines and specifically so, animal and plant-based by-products can be traced to early historical times. Thus, due to the prevailing historical and cultural-based contexts, a growing demand for both basic and alternative therapeutic treatment techniques was deemed crucial. This was due to the lack of alternative forms of medication, as ‘Western medicine’ had not yet been concretely founded. To be noted is that ‘Western’ medicinal input and practice has been greatly aided by the field/ specialty of vivisection. This refers to the utility of various animals for experimentation, with the hope of gaining useful knowledge crucial in developing new medical drugs and by-products. As advanced by the aforementioned Claude Bernard, animal testing was deemed as a crucial step in advancing biological and medical/ scientific knowledge. Cultural Basis The greater focus on the field of vivisection has had a great impact on the development of sustainable and effective medicinal products for human production. Traditional forms of medication have however, been culturally rooted in various regional, religious and socio-cultural arenas. As mentioned earlier, Asian populations have a great respect and adherence for their cultural way of life, which is intertwined with their religious affiliations. This hence provides a clue as to why their forms of alternative medication, in the form of therapeutic procedures and medical products, continue being a preferred alternative. This is essentially so to the existing Western-dominated global medical arena (Levi 108). Various cultures do posses varied knowledge, with regard to the utility of animals for their curative capacity, of various ailments and diseases (Levi 108). For centuries, indigenous populations and healers have extracted medicines, with due consideration of the ecological significance of the wildlife. However, the loss of this traditional form of knowledge has inadvertently impacted on contemporary developments of modern medication. The importance of medicinal folklore cannot be disputed, as it has provided an invaluable guide to the contemporary preparation, screening and production of modern drugs. Ecological knowledge of medicinal animals, by being such a vital component of overall human history and knowledge, does require both protection and conservation (110). This is particularly so, with regard to the prevailing context of globalization, as augmented by the increasing demand for natural resources within the greater global arena. Legal and Politico-Economic Dimensions The prevailing economic capacity of a majority of existing global populations, especially those of the developing nations, continues valuing the presence of traditional medicine. Through an extensive practicability, with reference to daily application, traditional medicine has continued impacting on the lives of a majority of citizens. This is true even in the industrialized nations, where traditional medicine is considered as an alternative form of human medically curative measures and practice. Health depends on the existing biodiversity, as well as the proper natural functionality of the prevailing healthy ecosystems present (111). The Politico-economic and Legal implications of animal-based medicines There is the need to delve within the multi-dimensional aspect of development that is sustainable. This is in respect to achieving overall sustenance of the existing global resources of medicinal fauna and flora. Consequently, the fields of linguistics, anthropology, ecology and sociology are pertinent social facets, which require articulated focus when delving into the greater utility of animal-based medical products. The prevailing urgency, with respect to the utility of animal products, is influenced by various contexts, especially the fact that some species, vital for the production of different medicinal products are rare. Additionally is the need to focus on the means of procuring such animals, as well as the existing presence of potential health risks, especially with regard to administering various animal-based remedies. Further is the need for an inclusion of various approaches i.e. ecological, sanitary politico-economic and legal, with respect to the discussion of the enhanced utility of this form of medication (113). Legal and Ecological implications The very fundamental nature of traditional medicines, and specifically so, animal-based forms of medication, is dependent on global populations of various species of wildlife, flora and fauna. Unfortunately, the resulting demand, as created by enhanced need for traditional medicines, is a primary cause of numerous animal species. This is especially true with regard to wildlife populations, where such pressure on natural resources, has witnessed a decline in choice-variation of various traditional medication. The above is critically influenced by the various traditional forms of collection/ acquisition, which eventually does result in an increasing depletion of some key species requisite for specific forms of traditional medication. This trend may be rooted in the loss of motivation, with respect to the sustainable utility of existing resource diversity, as well as the lack of preserving traditional ecological knowledge (Costa-Neto and Eraldo 34). Such a case scenario is especially true in the current era, where traditional populations have increasingly become integrated into the larger global economy. The growing globalization of trade, population pressures and acculturation, has resulted in the loss of their attachment to such traditional ways of life. This has in turn, negated the preservation of their restricted resource catchment areas to a few secluded populations, which are ill-equipped towards maintaining the required balance of nature. Traditional ecological knowledge is therefore significant towards the continued preservation of this diversity, for future sustenance of medical resources crucial for traditional forms of human medication. This is augmented farther through the inclusion of a trans-disciplinary approach, which integrates all crucial aspects of zoo-therapy. There should be focus on amalgamating social and ecological components, for greater sustainability. Politico-economic implications As aforementioned, traditional medicine, being deeply rooted in the cultural history of various populations does have both economic and political implications. Globally, trade and procurement of animals, especially wildlife body parts and products, as part of the greater arena of traditional medicine, is a multi-billion industry. This portends to a dynamic shift in the economic base of various legal jurisdictions as the trade, being either legitimate or clandestine, impacts significantly not only on local economies, but also the greater global arena. Thus, with an increase in the monetary value of animals procured, with the both political and socio-economic can be either positive or negative. Positive if there is greater regulation and conservancy, with the latter resulting from increased poaching and clandestine procurement of animal species (Romulo and Lereca). Politically, there is influence as jurisdictions, with respect to areas of conservation and arenas receiving these products, which may be either positive if legitimate, or negative when trade/ procurement is achieved by way of clandestine measures. In conclusion, the above discussion shows the fundamental importance of traditional medicine, in its various forms, which are crucial to various global population segments. Animal, as well as plant-based medicines, through increased utility in contemporary contexts, provide for a case study of how both western and traditional forms of medication can be incorporated into the overall human health and medical development. Works Cited Claude Bernard. Animal Chemistry: The Emergence of a Scientist. London: Harvard. University Press, 1974. Print. Costa-Neto, Eraldo M. "Animal-based medicines: biological prospection and the sustainable use of zootherapeutic resources." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 77.1 (2005): 33-43. Levi, Evans. “Traditional healing with animals (Zoo-therapy): medieval to present-day Levantine practice.” Journal of Ethnographic Pharmacology 86 (2003): 107–118. Romulo RN Alves and Lereca L Rosa. “Why study the use of animal products in traditional medicines?” Journal of Ethno-biology & Ethno-medicine 1.5 (2005). Read More