Should we ban scientists from using animals in their experiments?

26 million animals are used for scientific research every year. 26 million. None of them survive to see a day when they aren't trapped in a white lab room. Scientists use them to test out new drugs, medicine, or cosmetics before putting them on store shelves. But what is actually happening during the testing? These animals are put through a lot of pain and being discarded like trash. Even though by testing on animals, humans can be more safe and protected agaisnt diseases, animals should not be used for scientific research.

First of all, testing results are not always accurate when using animals. Animals and humans are both complex organisms and they are both quite different from each other. Of course, we both bear basic similarities, but animal cells differ so much from human cells. Primates are commonly used because of their striking similarity to humans, but even though we were said to have evolved from them, their cells are still different. One drug that seems to be safe when used on a monkey could have drastic side effects on a human. Even humans experience different side effects from each other.

For example, in 1999, when a group of scientists created the Vioxx drug (treats osteoarthritis) it was safe when they tested it on lab mice. In fact, it even strengthened the mice's hearts. So why was it taken down from the market a few years later? Vioxx started to cause sudden cardiac arrests and it induced over 27000 heart attacks. Something that had such a positive effect on mice went on to kill so many lives.

Using animals for scientific research is also inhumane and unethical. The testing conditions in the lab are very cruel. The animals are being force fed to reach a certain size, and they are shoved into cages when not needed. Also, PETA, an animal rights corporation, visited animal labs and discovered that the animals are usually awake when they are injected with harmful substances. The scientists don't usually give them anesthesia to help with the pain which means that the unfortunate animal can feel everything during the procedure. Animals have feelings too, like humans. Just because they cannot speak, or communicate like us, they still have a soul and a right to live. By forcing them into confining cages, is it any better than forcing a person against their will?

Many religious beliefs state that humans should treat other living things with respect. A proverb from the bible states: "A righteous man regards the life of his beasts." Even if the animals are providing the scientists with experiments that can potentially cure a disease, the animals shouldn't be put through so much pain.

Instead of using animals, the technology is now so advanced that there are other ways to yield accurate lab results. In vitro testing is where the scientists place a cell on a petri-dish and then studied carefully. By using the cell, they can add the product to it and observe the results in the cell level. This way, the results can actually be more accurate since it can be tested on a human cell instead of an animal cell. Not only do they get more accurate results, it is also much much cheaper. Using animals for science experiments costs around $32 000 while In vitro testing costs $11 000.

Using animals for scientific research can benefit mankind by finding cures for diseases. However, it is a cruel solution and the results are never 100%, which means the pain the animals go through might as well be for nothing. There are other ways to find cures for sicknesses and other ways to test out cosmetics. Of course, we should do what we can to keep the human race flourishing, but at what cost are we willing to pay?