Animal Testing Essay

The use of animals for cosmetics and medical testing was brought on by the concept of animals reacting to chemicals the same way that people do. The problem is, animals and humans have more differences than similarities. In most medical cases, animals react to and are treated for illnesses very differently. Medications causing problems like birth defects in animals can be perfectly safe for humans. There are illnesses such as types of cancer that kill humans, but are completely harmless to dogs (Greek & Greek, 2012). With these major differences in the reactions between humans and animals, most testing results are almost completely unreliable. In some cases, positive results end up failing in subsequent safety tests. In fact, new chemicals

Almost all animals are used for testing, including primates, dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, pigs, fish, and cats (Cruelty). Various animals are taken in every year by the millions and forced to be unwilling test subjects. “On top of deprivation, there are the experiments. U.S. law allows animals to be burned, shocked, poisoned, isolated, starved, drowned, addicted to drugs, and brain-damaged. No experiment, no matter how painful or trivial, is prohibited- and pain killers aren't required (Cruelty).” These animals are abused in laboratories and are left to suffer with no way of relief. Most animals are put into small cages with little room to move and are forced to suffer alone in isolation. These animals are often traumatized and flinch at sudden noises and movements. Video footage can be found showing animals cowering in fear when someone walks by their cage. They are traumatized by the abuse they are forced to endure and from having to watch other animals being abused and even killed right in front of them (Cruelty). Even if testing was needed, there is no reason for any living creature to be forced to endure such harsh conditions, not even