Using Animals for Research Essay
There has been a wide use of animals in different types of research. The medical field has achieved numerous benchmark achievements through the use of animals in medical research. Despite the numerous benefits of using animals in research, there is the surging ethical concern for the welfare of animals. In order to establish a rational balance between the need and urgency for medical research and the protection of animal welfare, there is a need for effective regulation. With stringent regulation, scientists can still use animals for research as this paper will illustrate.
Understanding why animals are critical in research is very essential. Disease has proved to be a real menace to human beings, necessitating the need for quality medical attention. The detrimental effects of diseases have compelled scientists to embark on research to unveil potential remedies to curb the rate of death and suffering from different diseases. The search for drugs is a complex process contrary to what many people think. There is always the urgency of establishing the specific cause of a disease. After identification of the cause, analysis of the causative organism follows in order to present the scientist with useful hints that could aid in the search for a drug. Scientist use animals in the identification process of the causative agent of diseases. Any medical preparation presenting the presence of active ingredients of medicinal value must undergo numerous tests to ascertain its effects and safety level. Due to the genetic similarity exhibited by some animals such as mice, scientists use them to test the efficiency and safety of drugs. The use of animals in such experiments does not seek to disregard the rights of animals in any way. On the contrary, scientists only use animals after exploiting other options.
Moreover, it is critical to highlight that opting to use human beings in medical research would pose a high risk. The use of uncertified drugs on humans would present multiple adverse effects including death. It is only fair that scientists reproduce human diseases in animals, and carry out adequate studies before any drug can receive the authorization for use in human cases. The presence of multiple drugs and procedures serve as evidence that the use of animals in research has produced multiple benefits. With the surging need for more effective drugs and advanced procedures for the emerging diseases that threaten the human race, scientists are likely to rely on animals in the future as well.
Although claims that animals have rights are rational and justified, the human race has minimal options. Other procedures such as magnetic image reasoning, studies on isolated tissues and cells, and utilization of computer models present their limits. Since humans lack an alternative, the only solution seems to be a regulated use of animal species in scientific research. This explains why many nations have a set of stringent regulations that govern the use of animals in research. Animal right activists have played a critical role in ensuring adherence to these rules. These rules prevent the abuse of animal species in unnecessary research projects.
As described above, there is a need for the use of animals in medical research because of the surging need for new drugs and medical procedures. The threat from diseases only keeps challenging humans, prompting an increased search for safe and effective drugs. Among other methods, the use of animal species is the only hope the globe has. Therefore, scientists can only adhere to the stringent regulation because the use of animals in research is the only viable way to getting safe and effective drugs without exposing humans to the testing process.