Sydney Hatch

Expository Writing

Ms.Johnson

March 15, 2017

Animal Testing and Its Benefits

Most everyone knows someone who has been impacted by cancer. There are several

different types of cancer such as breast, prostate, colon, melanoma, lung, etc. Animal testing has

contributed to the rise in cancer survival rates tremendously and also brought vaccinations and

cures for animals. Animal testing and research today is a necessity; it has given the opportunity

for the development of life saving treatments. 97% of research done is on mice, rats, fish, and

birds leaving dogs, cats and primates altogether to account for less than 0.2% of research on

animals (ProCon.org). Without research and testing on animals there will be no cures and

vaccinations found for the deadly diseases found in society today.

Animal testing has brought many vaccines and cures that save lives. Animal testing and

research has led to cancer survival rates to increase and keep increasing. Today cancer is one of

the leading causes of death but with animal testing opportunities it gives the priviledge for more

cures to save the lives of cancer patients (Hannah Nichols). Others say that alternative testing

methods now exist that can replace the need for animals. Saying that computer models such as

virtual reconstruction of human molecular structures can predict problems without invasive

experiments on animals. Computers cannot give as good of information as an animal can. The

animals are closely related to humans with skin like humans and very similar body systems.

There is no way a computer can completely replicate every trait of a human being and
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how it functions. Members of the British Royal Society argue that virtual medical achievement

in the 20th century relied on the use of animals in some type of way.

Overall people trying to say that there is no reason for testing on animals are wrong. Testing on

animals has led us to so many medical breakthroughs that could not of happened if tried on some

computer replicate. Testing animals such as mice, rats, and frogs is really not that big of a deal

because they are known for short life spans and reproduce very quickly. Getting rid of animal

testing is not an option because our body systems are far too complex and complicated to

replicate. Also some tests cannot ethically be done on humans so overall animal testing is a

necessity in the world we live in today. Without animal testing and research the population

would be constantly decreasing because of death caused from no vaccinations or cures for

diseases. The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the U.S. has argued that animal

research cannot be replaced by even sophisticated computer models which are unable to deal

with extremely complex interactions between cells, organs, organisms and the environment.

Animal testing is the only alternative to get the best results from vaccinations and new cures. If

animal testing does not continue, there will be no new chances of getting reliable vaccinations

and cures for deadly diseases.

Not only has animal testing and research led us to life saving vaccinations and cures for

humans but it has also developed life saving treatments for animals. If vaccines had not been

tested on animals then millions of animals would have died from multiple different diseases
such as rabies, distemper, feline, leukemia, tetanus, canine parvo virus and many

more(ProCon.org). Many people say a ridiculous amount of rats, mice, fish, and birds are killed

in research. Most people do not realize that all

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of these animals plus more would be dying anyway because none of the cures for animals would

have been made. A lot of people think that there are many alternatives but really there arent.

Human and animal body systems are extremely complicated(ProCon.org).Testing on animals

opens so many windows for so many more medical opportunities. With animal testing the

opportunity is given to be able to produce vaccinations to save such a greater amount of lives of

both humans and animals.

Laws have been placed to make sure that animals are not being treated cruelly in testing

facilities. The Animal Welfare Act sets the minimum acceptable level of housing standards and

access to drinkable water and limits the minimum acceptable veterinary inspections. This insures

the animals are kept happy and healthy, and makes sure the animals are not being mistreated.

Animal testing does not mean animal cruelty, although most people tend to think that with

animal testing comes cruelty towards animals. People tend to immediately picture the worst

possible things are happening when they think of animal testing. No One likes to hear that an

animal is being hurt and mistreated. Often pictures of animals are put out showing animals being

mistreated. These pictures can be extremely disturbing. Though this mistreatment happened

decades ago; it no longer happens. In the U.S the federal government has regulated animal

research since 1966. Every testing facility or research lab is required to have an Animal Care
and Use Committee. This committee checks plans and does not allow research to take place on

animals if another alternative is available. When animals are tested they must be given some

type of pain relief unless it will affect the results of the research. In order for research to be

accurate from animals the animals need to have been kept happy and healthy (Dave Anderson).

If anyone ever disagrees with animal testing because of the thought of an animal being

mistreated, they should know that the animals are kept happy and healthy in order to reach the

best results possible.

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Most people know someone that has been impacted by a terrible disease such as one like

cancer and if testing on animals can lower the numbers of people affected, it is worth it. Every

person needs to know that without animal testing there would be little to no cures or vaccinations

found. In the world today there are so many deadly diseases. Animal testing and research takes

place on a daily basis. With animal testing we are able to find cures and vaccines to use on

people and even animals to save lives. Without animal testing not only would humans die more

often but so would animals even the ones we love dearly as pets. Getting rid of animal testing is

not an option because our body systems are far too complex and complicated to replicate. Next

time you think about animal testing being wrong just remember the animals are not mistreated

and are potentially saving the life of someone you love. Animal testing is the reason we have the

live saving technology we have today.



WORKS CITED

Anderson, Dave. ListLand. Top Ten Reasons Why Animal Testing is Necessary. ListLand, 16

Jan.

2015, 3 Mar. 2017.

ProCon.org. Animal Testing. ProCon.org, 24 May. 2016, 3 Mar. 2017.

Nichols, Hannah. Medical News Today The top 10 leading cause of death in the United States.

Healthline Media, 23 Feb. 2017, 3 Mar. 2017