Animal Testing for Human Research

Paper Summary:

The author of the paper examines the idea that animal experimentation is a required aspect of science. The paper contends that legislation stipulating that such research must be carried out in accordance with current humane standards does not go far enough in defining adequate standards to differentiate between suitable and unsuitable animal experiments. The paper argues that all animal testing that involves pain, death, or keeping animals in captivity, should be subjected to justification standards.

From the Paper:

"Despite the recent introduction of European legislation that forbids the use of animals in cosmetic testing, animals are still a very significant factor within scientific research, despite the terrible suffering they are subjected too. As argued by numerous individuals and groups, the "lives of all creatures, great and small, have value and are worthy of respect" (Ibid, n.d.). Furthermore, this right does not depend on abilities to reason or talk, but springs from the notion that life in itself, and regardless of its form, deserves to be respected. Animals feel pain, they sense danger, and they experience emotions such as fear, hunger, and expressions of relationships, such as caring for their young. Human life, therefore, is not superior to that of animals, despite our ability to reason. In fact, it is such reasoning that surely defends the moral and ethic issues raised within this paper, which all clearly point towards the immoral nature of using animals as part of scientific research."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Andre, Claire & Velasquez, Manuel (n.d.). Online article: Of Cures and Creatures Great and Small. Information retrieved 09/30/2008.< http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v1n3/cures.html>
• Lein, Pamela; Locke, Paul; Goldberg, Alan. Meeting Report: Alternatives for Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing. Journal Title: Environmental Health Perspectives. Volume: 115. Issue: 5. Publication Year: 2007. Page Number: 764+. COPYRIGHT 2007 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group
• Orlans, F. Barbara. Policy Issues in the Use of Animals in Research, Testing and Education. Journal Title: The Hastings Center Report. Volume: 20. Issue: 3. Publication Year: 1990. Page Number: 25+. COPYRIGHT 1990 Hastings Center; COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), 2004. Online article: PCRM Position Paper on Animal Research. Information retrieved 09/30/2008.< http://www.pcrm.org/resch/anexp/position.html>
• Potera, Carol. More Human, More Humane: A New Approach for Testing Airborne Pollutants. Journal Title: Environmental Health Perspectives. Volume: 115. Issue: 3. Publication Year: 2007. Page Number: 148+. COPYRIGHT 2007 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group

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