Ethical Animal Testing Issues

Animal testing is a very controversial subject that affects all of us. Everybody already used a product that was approved by testing on animals. But is it an ethical thing to do? “Better test on animals then on humans” some people would say. If humans are the smart class of animals shouldn’t we figure out new ways of testing? This is an enormous ethical issue that has been going for a long time.

Industrial Engineers would probably not participate in the research itself but companies that they work for might. That affects their reputation and might conflict with their personal values. Animal testing is mandatory in most countries before tests on humans. The problem with that is: 92% of drugs passed on animals did not have the same success with humans. Also over 50% of the animals used in cosmetic testing died three weeks after it. Clearly it is not a perfect system of testing.

However banning the total use of animal testing now wouldn't be a smart move. There is not enough alternative ways of testing drugs before testing in humans. Therefore there should have laws to regulate the types of testing and also treatments to make the experience less painful for animals. Rodents, reptiles and birds are not part of the Animal Welfare Act therefore labs, when testing on them, don’t have to provide pain relief. They are also subjected to shocks, starvation and burn. Very nonhuman like.

The ideal situation would be to gradually advance into new ways of testing and one day become independent of animal testing. There are already technologies being developed to improve this situation. One example would be the “lung-on-a-chip” that contains living human cells linked to this tiny device that simulates the lung and air vessels connecting it. This device could help with the test of body response to lung infections and diseases. There is also research being done on synthetic human skin and that could help analyze how drugs travel through the skin.

Animal testing is widely used. To effectively address this problem we have to continuously make improvements on technologies that could help on testing on a safer way and more effective way. I hope scientists and politicians see the problem that is in front of them and act on it. There is the humane thing to do.

--Pedro dos Santos--

References:

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-animal-testing

http://www.planet-science.com/categories/over-11s/technology/2011/09/animal-testing---the-facts.aspx

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/medical-and-healthcare/news/lung-on-a-chip-device-could-reduce-animal-drug-testing/1015647.article