• Question: DO you agree with animal testing, if so why. and if you agree why not test on humas.

    Asked by animalrights to Wei, Verity, Simon, Rebecca, David on 15 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by anarbayram, hollydaviess.
    • Photo: Simon Trent

      Simon Trent answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Animal testing has and always will remain a controversial subject. I have personally worked with animals in scientific research and know many similar people to me. The UK laws are extremely strict for animal testing and everyone doing so needs to be trained and obtain a Home Office Licence firstly. During the actual testing, there are always animal technicians on hand whose first interest is always the animal’s wellbeing and there is a vet, for more serious matters. Many of the great medicial and biological discoveries came through the use of animal testing (such as inhalers for people with asthma) and future discoveries will reply on animal research also.

      To some extent humans are tested, but in different ways. They are put in brain scanners or given new drugs to try (that have already been tested on animals). The ultimate aim, whether its with animals or humans, is that the research will lead to improving people lives, so I personally dont see the problem in this. Many beauty products are still tested on animals and I feel that this is a far worse area, as the benefits arent really important.

    • Photo: Wei Xun

      Wei Xun answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      I think until we find suitable alternatives, we have no option but to allow some animal testing to further science, especially medical.

      If we were to ban animal testing in the UK, realistically speaking, the testing would still be necessary and be moved to labs in other countries where rules are not as strict to protect the animals, overall, things might be worse.

    • Photo: Verity Nye

      Verity Nye answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      In an ideal world no but I accept that if we want to develop new drugs and medicines animal testing is neccessary until a safe alternative can be found. I don’t agree with animal testing on cosmetic products; most ingredients used have already been tested and I prefer to use natural products that haven’t been tested on animals.

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