Although there are a number of support groups that are vocally against animal testing, such testing still oftentimes occurs in animals around the world. Typically, animal subjects are used to test out new products that are developed for human use. Supporters of animal testing argue that using animal subjects for these tests reduces the risk of damage and injury to humans who would use the products later on. However, there are a number of reasons why animal testing is both a cruel and inhumane practice and also an ineffective one.
Inhumane Conditions
While it cannot be said that all instances of product testing with animal subjects are inhumane to those animals, in many cases they are. Animals subjected to these tests are frequently not given adequate space in which to live or proper diets. This is also to say nothing of the emotional and behavioral neglect that many animal subjects receive. Though many animals are tested as subjects in labs around the United States and elsewhere in the world, company policies and practices oftentimes make these tests difficult to track down.
Negative Side Effects
In the case of medical testing, many animals are used as a way of determining potential reactions to a new drug or medicine that might occur in humans. The goal is to isolate those side effects and reactions so that they may be worked out of the drug in future iterations. However, the animals that are subjected to the drugs will not be able to opt out of those side effects, and may suffer any number of different health problems and concerns.
In other cases, animals are used for scientific research and other practices as well. For these tests, scientists oftentimes conduct tests on animals which resemble humans in certain ways in order to avoid having to use human subjects. Although the severity of the test and procedure varies depending upon the type of science and the project in question, many of these procedures are inhumane and some even result in the necessary killing of the animal.
Problems with Results
Animal testing is, in many cases, not an entirely effective way of examining the effects that a medicine will have on human subjects. Although scientists and researchers can predict what a reaction in humans will be based on a reaction in animals, they cannot guarantee that the same thing will occur. Therefore, the use of animals as test subjects in these cases is a partial benefit at best.
To find out more about the animal testing procedures that are done for an individual company or product line, conduct research directly with that company. There are also a variety of different organizations throughout the country which work to target and expose inhumane animal testing practices, or to ensure that those tests that are conducted are done in a safe and humane manner. Information on those organizations is available through your vet's office.