OPINION: The unethical reality of animal testing

Students should be aware of the unethical nature of animal testing and how it outweighs the benefits argued by those in its support.

The Issue

Scientists and researchers perform animal testing with hopes to discover cures to illnesses, toxins in products and how organisms are developed.

Animals are often tortured in experiments and are forced to ingest or inhale toxic chemicals. These animals suffer in pain and solitude for human advancement, or so we are told.

Human Benefits

Those that are in favor of animal testing tend to argue that what humans get out of animal testing is more important than the lives of these creatures across the globe.

According to an NBC News article, “one analysis found that among 2,671 papers from 1992 to 2011 that reported trials in animals, randomization was not reported in 75% of them, blinding was absent in 70%, and fewer than 1% and 12% had sample-size calculations and conflict of interest statements, respectively — all factors that can lead to inaccurate results.” This quote actively demonstrates that many animals’ lives may be wasted in these harsh experiments due to lack of structure.

Humane Society International study says “animal studies fail o predict real human outcomes in 50 to 99.7 percent of cases. This is mainly because other species seldom naturally suffer from the same diseases as found in humans.”

The human body differs greatly from many animals used for testing. Results collected from animal experiments do not always correlate to human bodies’ reactions.

Stepping Forward

Sentient Media article says “there is overwhelming evidence that animal testing is losing favor in the public eye. Already a number of countries have taken key steps toward reducing and even eliminating the practice. This is largely thanks to the activists and organizations that have worked tirelessly on the issue.”

Kennesaw State students should reconsider using products that have been tested on animals while knowing the specifics of animal testing.

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