For many years, animals have been used in research in the scientific and medical fields. To be able to introduce new drugs into the market, they have to be tested first on animals in order to make sure they are effective. Animal testing, in this particular context, is the testing of drugs on non-humans, mostly animals, which are then sold to consumers. However, what has been controversial about this is whether it should be banned or not. Many people believe that animal testing is cruel, inhumane and should be banned. I disagree with this statement as the disadvantage of testing on animals outweigh the disadvantages and many studies prove that the negative effects are insignificant.
When the benefits of animal testing outweigh the drawbacks, it is evident that it is beneficial. Technology and animal testing have provided the human population with many advancements in the past century. Animal experimentation has helped uncover drugs that have helped ease the suffering of humans from diseases and illnesses. We should take every opportunity to advance medicine and technology for the betterment of the human population. Many arguments for why animal testing should be banned is based on opinion and not backed by facts. Once you take into account the facts and statistics, the ban for animal experimentation seems foolish.
Many diseases have been cured or prevented by animal testing. A very popular example would be the the discovery of cattle insulin in 1921. This discovery contributed significantly for most advancements in the study of diabetes. Other discoveries include: vaccines for polio and cervical cancer, insulin, antibiotics, heart-bypass surgery, among others were all advances that we achieved through animal testing.
Animal testing is revolutionary for medicine and technology and quite frankly, there is not other alternative. Animal testing ensures that medicine that is being put out in the market is effective and not life-threatening to humans. Animal experimentation is extremely beneficial and should not be banned.
