Animal Testing
Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation or in vivo testing, refers to the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables affecting the behavior or biological system under study. This practice is commonly conducted in universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, defense establishments, and commercial facilities that provide animal-testing services to the industry. The focus of animal testing varies from pure research to applied research, such as testing disease treatments, breeding, defense research, and toxicology, including cosmetics testing.
Procedures and Ethical Concerns
Animal testing involves subjecting live animals to potentially harmful substances, surgically removing organs or tissues, forcing animals to inhale toxic gases, and subjecting them to frightening situations to create anxiety and depression. This practice inflicts physical pain and psychological distress on sentient creatures and is often time- and resource-intensive. Moreover, animal tests are restrictive in the number of substances that can be tested and provide little understanding of how chemicals behave in the human body.
Animals Used in Experiments
A wide range of animal species are regularly used in experiments, including mice, fish, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, farm animals, birds, cats, dogs, mini-pigs, and non-human primates. Horses, cows, sheep, and pigs are also used, and wild animals can be used in trapping and other experiments.
Alternatives and Regulations
Modern non-animal techniques are reducing and superseding experiments on animals, and in the European Union, the "3Rs" principle of replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal experiments is a legal requirement. Alternatives to animal testing include sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues, organs-on-chips, advanced computer-modeling techniques, and studies with human volunteers.
In conclusion, animal testing is a controversial practice with ethical and scientific considerations. While it has been a common method for research and testing, there is a growing emphasis on developing and using non-animal methods that are more humane and relevant to human health.
