Animal testing is a process that has been around for centuries. Though the methods used today are more humane than those used in the past, it remains a controversial topic.
Many believe that animal testing is cruel and should be abolished; others maintain that it’s necessary for medical research. So, let’s explore the most common applications of animal testing and discuss both sides of the argument.
Drug Testing
One of the most common applications of animal testing is drug testing. Before new drugs become available to the public, safety needs to remain a priority. Testing is typically done in a lab using animals. The goal is to determine the dosage required for humans while identifying potential side effects. Animal testing has been responsible for the development of many life-saving drugs, including penicillin, insulin, and chemotherapy agents.
However, critics of drug testing on animals argue that it is cruel and unnecessary. While they contend that the results obtained from animal testing aren’t always applicable to humans, they also claim that some animals have different reactions to drugs than humans do. Meanwhile, supporters of drug testing argue that it is necessary to provide safe and effective treatments for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. They point out that animals do not have the same reactions to drugs as humans.
Cosmetics Testing
Another common application of animal testing is prevalent in the cosmetics industry. Before a new cosmetic product can be sold to the public, it needs safety testing. The goal is to determine if the product is toxic or causes any adverse reactions.
However, not all cosmetic products take part in animal testing. Green and natural cosmetic companies choose to use only plant-based ingredients. Since most of these ingredients are natural and not synthetically formulated, they remain safe for human use and effectively find natural products for different skin types. This is probably one of the reasons behind the abrupt rise in the popularity of green and natural cosmetics.
Environmental Testing
Environmental testing is another common application of animal testing. Before a new product or chemical can be released into the environment, several tests must be performed. Again, a controlled environment with animals may be required to proceed with these testing procedures. The goal is to determine if the product or chemical will adversely affect plant and aquatic life.
Over the years, some of the most common applications of animal testing may include drug testing, cosmetics testing, and environmental testing. There are others, but these three seem to be the most prevalent. Continuous advancements in technology made it possible to start using alternative methods to animal testing for some of these applications. Only time will tell if they’ll be able to eliminate the need for testing on animals.
While animal testing is still prevalent in the medical and cosmetic industry, discussion surrounding it is still happening. What do you think of animal testing, and how does it affect you?
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