The response from people that support vivisection is that animal experimentation is crucial in assisting medical breakthroughs. These medical breakthroughs not only benefit humans but research develops treatments for animal diseases as well. If research was unavailable, scientists would have a difficult time in discovering cures for illnesses. Supporters look at history as their statistics to uncover that animal research has had positive ramifications that have helped humans live longer lives. These pro-vivisectionists lash out at animal-rights groups saying that they have prolonged life -saving cures because of their protests and large following. They are hypocrites in that sometimes their actions are extreme and go to far to save a few animals. It is a question of your own ethics. These supporters feel as though it would be immoral not to dispose of animals if it is vital for human welfare.
Supporters analyze what influence animal research has had on the medical world. An array of diseases have been cured due to animal experimentation. Some of these include: antibiotics for bacterial infections; vaccines for polio, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis diabetes and smallpox; gene therapy; discovery of the HIV virus and treatment to prolong the AIDS virus; chemotherapy for cancer patients; organ, cornea and bone marrow transplant techniques; and many blocking agents such as anesthesia. All of these benefits would have not existed had it not been for animal research, and over the past century animal research has helped to increase the life span of humans by 28 years.
Over the past decade, medical technology has grown immensely thus giving scientists a wide variety of techniques to fight diseases. Scientists are working to fight life-threatening diseases such as AIDS, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.Animals are allowing scientists to analyze the components of these diseases so that soon treatments will be available. Some of the methods that have been discovered in the 1990's have been laproscopic surgical techniques which reduce the amount of time patients need to stay in hospitals. This is financially beneficial for the patient. The animals studied were pigs. Another successful discovery was coming closer to finding a cure for breast cancer. They have studied the genetic and environment factors involved. The species being studied are fruit flies, mice and rats. And gene therapy for cystic fibrosis has been discovered using mice and primates.
Many scientists agree that the animal research not only benefit humans, but it benefits animals as well. Many medicines that have evolved are now used on animals as well. Surgical procedures and antibiotics are used and administered in the same manner for humans and animals. Over 80 procedures and medicines which were first developed for humans are now used in veterinary practices. Some of these include: cataract surgery; cardiac pacemakers; treatment for feline leukemia and rabies; prevention of heartworm; CAT scans that remove brain tumors and find birth defects; and organ transplant techniques.What scientists have learned from their animal testing has only had positive and rewarding effects.
Pro-vivisectionists believe that animal-rights groups are hypocrites and they are an obstacle is uncovering and developing medicine to help humans and animals. These organizations and coalitions oppose animal research as well as exploit misleading information to recruit more people onto their sides. These groups oppose the suffer and the inhumane torture that the animals are exposed to. Some of these groups have gone to extreme measures to express their opinion. They have used tactics that include burglary, fire-bombing, kidnapping and releasing laboratory animals, threats, vandalism and terrorist attacks to want to see an end put to animal research. But isn't this hypocritical of the animal-rights coalitions who want to see torture and inhumane tortures ended. They are adding to the problem by not conducting themselves in a respectable manner. Do they ever think their opinion will ever have any legislative value if they are using violence to attempt to end the problem? There is no way. A story that happened recently involved a research facility that received razor blades in the mail. Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA responded to these allegations by saying, " If experimenters feel afraid now, that is nothing compared with the fear, harm, and death they have inflicted on their victims." Researchers want an environment where they can help humans and not have to worry about animal-rights groups using threatening tactics to express their voice. Supporters think that it is the animal-rights groups that are the immoral and unethical people.
Pro-vivisectionists have the outlook that what they are doing is beneficial for animals and humans. Statistically, animal research has made a large dent in the field of medicine. It has developed cures, treatments and other useful drugs ensuring better lives for humans. Some of these uncovered cures have been used veterinary practices as well. And the animal-rights groups are protesting which is only preventing more valuable research from being discovered. They are using tactics that involve violence to express their voice which is only hurting them and delaying any possible medical breakthroughs. It is all a question of ethics, and the supporters of vivisection agree that it is ethical to kill animals if it ensures healthier and longer lives for humans.
Footnotes
(1)"Battle over animal rights: scientists and animal-rights activists clash over the use of animals for medical research." Current Events Dec. 1996: 2A
(2)< http://www.ampef.org/>
(3)" Battle over animal rights: scientists and animal-rights activists clash over the use of animals for medical research." Current Events Dec. 1996: 2A
(4)< http://www.ampef.org/humananimal.html>
(5)< http://www.ampef.org/humananimal.html>
(6)<http://www.ampef.org/violent.html>
(7)< http://www.ampef.org/articles/nkdart1.html.>
Benefits of Animal Resarch to Humans and Animals- This gives a breakdown of the diseases and surgical procedures that have been developed for humans and animals due to animal experimentation. Advances in medicine due to animal experimentation- this shows all of the treatments and cures that have been developed throughout history. |
Ethics and Animals- This is an editorial from the Boston Globe in 1999. It explains how animal-rights groups are not helping their cause by using terrrorist tactics to get their ,essage across. The tragic hypocrisy of "animal rights"- an article that explains that animal rights groups have made it difficult to find cures and treatments for diseases with their impolite way of conductiing business. Animal Research Saves Human Lives- An article from the Wall Street Jouranl which analyzes the benefits behind animal reseearch. It gives real life examples and treatments that wouldn't exist if animal research was unavailable. |
Americans for Medical Progress Educational Foundation- This group strongly believs that without animal research, cures for diseases such as polio and cystic fibrosis wouldn't exist. They believe that animal research has helped not only humans, but animals as well. History has shown that animal research has helped to develop many medical breakthroughs.
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