Controversial Issue

Hello, my controversial issue is going to be on animal testing, or animal rights. Animal rights movements have been an ongoing issue since the early 1900’s. Most do agree that animal testing is okay to do to a point. However, there are different forms of animal rights. Some people believe that animal testing is okay to do as long as it is done humanely, and their care is kept up on. Others believe that animal testing should not be done at all because they have “feelings”. These people are the ones scientists have said are humanizing animals.

I chose this topic because the veterinary field is what I am going into. This issue is going to be one of many issues I will have to face personally, and I want to know more about this topic. For one I am an animal lover with two dogs and a guinea pig. I want to know that animals are just not getting put through pain for the simple sale of a tube of lipstick.

Over the summer I was actually interviewed to work in an animal research lab. During this interview I found out a lot of information that changed the way I looked at animal testing. While there I was offered a tour of the building. I thought it was hard to see these animals, some of which had no hair, stiches, and were in casts. I came to find out that these animals (mostly mice, rats, and bunnies) although going through the pain of different procedures were extremely well taken care of. The bunnies I encountered actually had an hour of play time in a secluded grassy spot outside. I don’t even think an average bunny owner does that. The staff was very strict that all animals had “enrichment time”. While there I also learned that the animals were ONLY being testing for pharmaceuticals and procedures that matched a CURRENT patients needs.

I am sure there are many reasons why the world tests on animals. With this paper I hope to have a more definitive idea on these different reasons, the benefits, outcome, and procedures. I am excited and hope to learn a lot.