Understanding the Role of Animal Testing in Research and Advancement Animal Testing in Medical Research Animal testing has attracted abundant criticism in the past few years, especially from a plethora of animal rights groups and activists. While these supporters argue that the same is responsible for “cruel” treatment of animals, the benefits and developments spurred by animal testing cannot be ignored. In current times, we owe a large majority of cures and treatments to animal testing. From vaccinations to cancer research and successful eradication of some of the most deadly diseases; animal testing has given hope to humans for a longer, healthier and better life. For medical science, surgical procedures, diagnosis and development of effective therapies are some of the basic areas that have flourished through animal testing. Although animal testing can and should be avoided; there are still a number of questions unanswered and a number of areas unaddressed which may also be solved through this procedure until a utile alternative is found. How “cruel” is animal testing? The fact that research on organ transplantation has evolved to an extent that scientists and medical experts can now give a new life to their patients; calls for a greater investigation of the realm of animal experimentation. The current upheaval against animal testing is a waste of resources as it not a practice of convenience but rather one that has emerged as a necessity in our times. Activists have argued time and again regarding the poor treatment of animals and the cruelty they are subject to. In contrast to this generally accepted argument, it is actually found that animals living in research facilities, enjoy a better life quality, are treated with greater care and are monitored under the accepted standards and regulations in lieu of their health and growth. The following table suggests some of the procedures that are used to ensure animal safety during experiments: Animal Testing Procedures Identification Handling Bleeding
Use of Anesthesia Health and Care
Conditions Imposed Ensuring painless methods (if possible) Ensuring safety of the researcher as well as the animal to reduce stress Ensuring the frequency, timings between bleedings, use of anesthesia and flow are all maintained as per the standards (Specifically used for painful procedures) Ensuring accurate doses, for minimum secondary effects and complications. Ensuring regular and frequent monitoring
What are the current statistics? Statistics suggest that animal testing only accounts for 10 percent of the medical research conducted. The remaining 90 percent is supplemented by animal testing alternatives such as computer and mathematical models, tissue engineering, scanning technology and cell culture methods. The numbers suggest that the trend towards animal experimentation has decreased rapidly. In the U.S. too, Understanding the Role of Animal Testing in Research and Advancement
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the NIH (National Institute of Health) has formulated strict legislations and rules regarding animal testing. All research activities are majorly funded by this organization, which ensures that the animal care regulations are strictly adhered to through regular site visits. What’s more is that contrary to the popular belief that the research is performed merely by cosmetic companies who mistreat these animals through various chemicals and products, survey results obtained by USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) suggest that only six percent of these animals experience pain. In addition, the animal care in such facilities is governed by the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. The basic purpose of these regulations and acts is to ensure that animal experimentation is only opted as a last resort, when other alternatives have been considered and deemed unacceptable.
References http://www.researchomatic.com/Animal-Welfare-37966.html http://www.researchomatic.com/National-Institute-Of-Health-1351.html http://www.researchomatic.com/Fsis-Usda-127424.html http://www.researchomatic.com/Animal-Welfare-37966.html
Understanding the Role of Animal Testing in Research and Advancement
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