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Animal Experimentation

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Submitted By plok
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70 million animals scalded, force fed chemicals, genetically manipulated, hurt and killed in the USA alone. Is this really necessary?
I believe that this torture is cruel and horribly selfish and barbarian. Not only are we harming innocent animals when there are many other valid ways of experimenting but everyday animals are being brutally killed for experiments that aren't even proven to give valuable, reliable results. Animal experimentation is a universal issue which provokes much controversy. As such a provocative subject it inevitably demands much attention. There is an aggressive yet on going argument which furiously debates the ethical question of animal rights against particularly ruthless scientific experiments. There is a plethora of statistics and data which strengthen the fight to ban animal testing, for example opinions of prestigious medical doctors and veterinary surgeons. Also, the misleading and underhanded attempt to disguise the vile treatment of animals by major companies and even charities insinuates that the immorality and pain inflicted upon these innocent creatures is in fact widely recognised, yet ignored. This needs to be changed.

The success of animal experimentation is often exaggerated as revealed in a horrifying story told by the 'Daily Mail'. In 2000 a project carried out by Cambridge-based Imutran, which involved transplanting genetically modified pig hearts and kidneys into monkeys was told as a success story, until vital and disturbing evidence was leaked to the public which strongly contradicted Imutran's initial account.

Imutran released the evidently falsified story informing the public that the animals were being well kept and healthy, Hiding the truth that in actual fact they were 'locked up, huddled together, described as quiet, shivering, unsteady and in spasm.' In one experiment 13 out of 22 monkeys died painfully suffering within two days of the operation. Details were blatantly concealed, thus deliberately misleading the public, which suggests that the company carrying out these obviously harrowing and inhumane experiments were not only aware of the immorality of their actions but were in fact actively working to hide it.

Animals are put through this unnecessary pain and suffering when there are many other ways experiments can be undertaken such as: human skin patches, computer models and tissue tests that would give the same or even better results. Experimentation on animals is an unjust and less effective method as a great percentage of the time the results are invalid as they do not reflect statistics which would be true of humans. Furthermore, it is a blunt fact that animal nervous systems are different from humans, consequently the outcome of these experiments are often futile. This evidence provides proof that not only is animal experimentation exceedingly vicious but also uncalled for and highly unnecessary.
The experiments continue to frequently place a significant amount of stress upon the animal thus rendering the entire experience pointless whilst submitting the innocent animal to brutal and disgusting torture. I believe that it is incredibly unjust to exploit guiltless animals for the sole benefit of humans, whilst neglecting to consider the severe harm and distress the animals are put through.

Shockingly, there is no law against animal testing in Britain which allows mass producing companies to take advantage and willingly abuse animals merely for their own profit. Furthermore, there are no laws in place to monitor the standards or observe the conditions in which the animals are subjected to, thus the extent of the abuse and injustice is overlooked.
The animals are severely mistreated and are left to suffer the pain, a pathetic 31% have their pain reduced with anaesthesia whereas the overwhelming majority, 69%, are cruelly disregarded and forced to suffer through intense and immeasurable agony. The scandal uncovered by the Daily Mail which noted the distinct change in the animals behaviour after having been operated on reflects the stark effect these experiments really have.

Most people who donate to charities like Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation are unaware that many of their donations are used to carry out animal experiments. I think that it should be made illegal to conceal animal experimentation, and exact data should be made public information so people would be aware of the situation. I strongly believe that if people were conscious of what was occurring behind closed doors they would not purchase certain products.
The charity, Animal Aid, condemns the mistreatment of animals and have stated that animal experimentation is a, 'futile quest that has failed to advance the course of human medicine.' This has been supported by both a reputable medical doctor and a veterinary surgeon.
It is of much importance to acknowledge the fact that several doctors have recognised the meaninglessness of animal testing despite the fact that it can only be assumed that they are primarily concerned with the well being of humans, and interested in the advancements that could be possible in the medical field.

In conclusion, I strongly feel that animal testing should not be legal and is against animal rights as they also suffer pain and anxiety just like humans. In the future they should be treated equally and it should be against the law for companies to hide the fact that they test their products on animals. The products tested on animals could just as easily be tested in many other ways of which would be more reliable for it's purpose without harming many innocent animals daily. This unnecessary, disgusting process must be stopped.

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