Animal Testing Controversy - Essay Example

I strongly hold the view that the use of animals for research is harsh and unfair and that it should be discouraged.

To start with, the act itself is very cruel. Every year, cruel corporations and individuals use animals to test household cleaners, cosmetics, as well as other consumer goods – they often kill, poison, and make these animals blind. Additionally, they rub corrosive chemicals onto rabbits’ eyes and skin, coerce rats and mice to inhale toxic fumes, and forcefully fed pesticides to dogs. In most cases, the animals used for experimentation also go through much pain, confined in cold, desolate cages, and these conditions are by no means healthy. They suffer in pain, with solitude, and yearn to be set free. These animals are always in fear of the other painful and terrifying procedures to be carried out on them. Some of them acquire such neurotic behaviors as spinning in circles continuously, pulling their hair out, rocking back and forth, and even biting their skin as a result of the boredom, sterility, and stress that they experience. Even after going through all the terror, loneliness, and pain, almost all of them are killed (Peta.org, 1).

Moreover, using animals for research violates animal rights. It is important to note that just like human beings themselves; these creatures have a right to life. If it is illegal/unethical to test and experiment on human beings, it follows that it is incorrect to treat the rights of animals to live differently. Unfortunately, no organization keeps a track of animals that are used in research. Worse still, the Animal Welfare Act of the United States does not have measures to curtail this inhumane practice (Shukla, 4).

Conclusion
I strongly believe that the practice of using animals in research is not necessary. I concur with Shukla that on ethical grounds, it is unfair to give animals such harsh treatment for our selfish gains. The fact that people make animals suffer just so that they can have better life points towards coldhearted and hideously selfish motives. Animal Testing Laws should therefore be instituted and groups that fight for animal rights should continue petitioning for the prohibition of this practice. This is because currently, there are several alternatives to the same. Those who hold the argument that animal testing has been of great help should note that during earlier times, there were no alternatives available. With the existence of these alternatives today, it is very possible for people to begin doing away with this cruel practice. Read More