Show c J On the Other Hand Animal Experimentation Necessary Humane Humane Humane- The Conservative Angle Rebecca Robbins LET me preface this discussion by stating that my personal opinion on animal experimentation experimentation experimentation is decidedly moderate I think that thatto to be completely left or completely right on this issue is to ignore the subtlety involved It is easy to be shocked at the thought of a former fonner Rover or Socks being taken from froma a shelter to be used in experimentation It is easy to turn an angry tide against the medi medi- scientific cal community by showing nasty pictures of once cute and fluffy pets What is not easy is to comprehend all of the benefits we have sustained and will sustain from animal animal animal ani ani- ani- ani mal research I do not agree with the ultra-right ultra views that maintain that we merely are acting upon the survival of the fittest when we do experiments on animals to tomake tomake tomake make sure that our blusher will not give us a rash Rush Limbaugh might say that humans had a right as the highest animals to force their will upon any animal for any purpose I disagree When we do that we human I also cannot agree with Peter Singer author of Animal Liberation that any use of animals animals- in experiments that would possibly possibly possibly pos pos- sibly cause the animal to suffer may be im im- im- im moral Here is the bottom line I do not support frivolous use of animals in experimentation I am not the type of person who wants rabbits rabbits rabbits rab rab- bits to be poked prodded and mutilated to tomake tomake tomake make sure that my mascara is safe I find it difficult to look in the eyes of a chimpanzee while he or she is being experimented on Maybe this is my squishy liberal side However However However How How- ever if my life were saved or an AIDS cure was found by experiments done on Flipper Flipper Flipper Flip per Rover Socks or primates I would be jubilant I defy any parent to say if their child could be saved by a discovery that was made by experimenting on rats they would deny the treatment The Toe Liberal Angle Brenda Upright ALTHOUGH animal e experimentation has occurred since early AD A.D. there seems to be bea a disregard today for what for what could be pre pre- vented People seem to view chemical and drug testing on animals as a necessary method for prevention of harm toward hu hu- hu- hu mans Is all this testing necessary now Not from my point of view In this age of technology technology technology tech tech- and advancement there should be steps taken to ensure that less animals are sacrificed for our benefit For instance a glucose tolerance test can be simulated by a computer with accurate re results results results re- re comparable to a test done on an animal There are tests that are done for the well being of humans but some are done so extensively extensively extensively exten exten- and unnecessarily it makes me question question question ques ques- tion the value of research For example the Draize test is done to te test t cosmetic products for their safety Rabbits are placed in stocks that immobilize their heads and drops of a substance are dropped into one eye The test often leads to hemorrhaging and blindness and undoubtedly unnecessary pain to the ani ani- ani- ani mal I have read of rabbits breaking their backs trying to free themselves Not only are tests done on rabbits but also cats dogs rats hamsters and monkeys Tests range from electric shock drug development development development devel devel- cancer research herbicides pesticides pesticides pesticides and various chemicals Im I'm not demanding a complete stop to animal animal animal an an- imal experimentation Im I'm asking that people realize what is happening every day and see there are more humane ways of treating and respecting our friends Its It's a shame that society society society soci soci- ety today sees sentimentality and compassion as a vice whereas the energy could be used taking action to ensure these animals have decent treatment before and during testing I hope in the future there wont won't be a aneed aneed aneed need for animal experimentation but for forthe forthe forthe the present we need to see to th the ethical treatment of animals as our moral duty as human beings |