• Question: Do you agree with animal testing?

    Asked by ashleighlou to Laurel, Bridget, Ceri-Wyn, Maria, Betul on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by amylou, emily12345, georginano3, aimeeenglish, jacknorman96.
    • Photo: Bridget Waller

      Bridget Waller answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      It depends. In an ideal world there would be no animal testing, but unfortunately if we want to test medicines it is important to make sure they are safe before using them on humans. A compromise is to ensure that animal testing is only conducted in essential circumstances, and when the animal’s welfare is kept to very high standards. It is a very difficult issue though, and I think we should debate it as much as possible so that people are aware of what happens, and why.

    • Photo: Ceri-Wyn Thomas

      Ceri-Wyn Thomas answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Yes. Does that sound horrible? The thing is, without animal testing we would not be able to test drugs which would stop the suffering in millions of humans AND other animals worldwide. That’s why I support animal testing, providing we ALWAYS search for ways to treat animals in these situations with the utmost care and humanity. However- I think using animals to test make-up and other cosmetic products on is just awful. I’d rather look blotchy and smelly than put an animal through any kind of unnecessary ordeal. Luckily you can by lots of ‘animal free’ products now.

    • Photo: Laurel Fogarty

      Laurel Fogarty answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Well yes and no. I think that testing cosmetics on animals is wrong. I think that keeping animals in bad conditions in labs is wrong and I think that using animals when other ways of testing are available to you is also wrong.

      However, some things have to be tested on animals, and certain types of tests are ok. I study animal learning on lab animals. My animals are kept in very good conditions and have a full team of technicians looking after them at all times. The tests that I do do not involve hurting the animals at all- just giving them puzzles and watching them solve them (its fun!).

      More invasive tests like medical tests on mice and even chimps are necessary, I wish they weren’t. There simply is no other way to develop new medications that could save lives. the best way to go about this is to be ethical- make sure no animals are in pain, make sure they are housed with enough room and bedding and never ever do a test on an animal that you don’t have to do. I think most animal research facilities abide by these ideas. I would not support any that do not.

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