Animal Experimentation

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that not testing on animals first would mean a marked increase in the loss of human life because new treatments would have to be tested on humans. The author points out that animal experimentation has been an integral part of many medical advancements throughout the modern age; utterly scrapping the process could only result in future problems for society. The paper stresses that acknowledging the moral position of animal experimentation does not free us from our obligations to minimize those animals' pain and suffering because humans possess some duties to nature that extends beyond our commitments to society.

From the Paper:

"There have been numerous arguments made for and against experimentation on animals, and some are more compelling than others. Some people suggest that the practice is immoral because choosing to experiment upon animals is directly analogous to racial or sexual discrimination; or more closely related to discrimination on the basis of mental capacity. Others contend that it is wrong because, by their estimations, no clear advances in medical research have been made through animal experimentation, and alternative modes of research are emerging. Doubtlessly, animal experimentation is a delicate moral issue, but asserting that animals should enjoy the same rights as humans within a society is a weak claim. Arguments have been formed differentiating animals from humans depending upon both their moral status and biological status. Yet, the most obvious line of reasoning is associated with the fact that granting animals the same rights as humans within society leads to many logical contradictions."

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