Prochnow 1

Caitlin Prochnow

Professor Malcolm Campbell

UWRT 1104

28 September 2017

Topic Proposal: Pros and Cons of Animal Experimentation

Introduction/Overview

The topic that interests me is the use of animals in research facilities. Ive always been

curious to know where products including makeup, medicine, and household goods come from

and how scientific advancements have helped our species evolve. I dont agree with the concept

of using animals in research facilities, but I can definitely see the pros and cons. With that being

said, my project will focus on presenting the pros and cons of animal experimentation and some

alternatives methods for animals.

Animal testing is the use of non-humans in testing research and development projects.

Animals used for experimentation include dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, monkeys, sheep, mice, rats,

and more. In the United States, one animal dies every second in a laboratory.

When it comes to the Pros, there are several reasons why animals are still used in

experiments today. Scientists continue to advance in anatomical comprehension and the

understanding of cell processes. All animals and the bodies of animals are like humans in the

way that they preform many vital functions such as breathing, hearing, digestion, movement,

sight, and reproduction. Animal experiments are condemned by some although important

breakthroughs such as antibiotics, anticoagulants, and kidney dialysis have been developed

following animal testing. Without the use of animals, thousands or even millions of unnecessary
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human deaths would be recorded. To prevent such disasters, the government passed the 1938

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that required safety testing of drugs on animals before

they could be marketed.

When it comes to the Cons, all you have to do is look at the treatment of animals in

research facilities. Laboratory animals live in a continuum of distress and are unable to express

natural behaviors. At times this leads to self-mutilation and stress induced psychosis. The most

devastating laboratory protocols are related to testing new drugs, purposely infecting with

diseases, poisoning for toxicity tests, burning skin, causing brain damage, maiming, blinding,

and more. It is always a possibility that it may be necessary to kill the animal to prevent further

suffering. The Animal Welfare Act is the only federal law that offers minimal protection for

animals in a laboratory setting. This law sets specific standards for their housing, feeding, and

handling.

More often than not, non-animal testing is a better alternative. It is more cost effective,

useful, safe, and advantageous. In the United States, civilian and military facilities are already

replacing animal laboratories with life-like stimulators that breathe, bleed, and die. Furthering,

the use of in-vitro cell growth allows scientists to study various populations of cells and how

they are more easily analyzed. These options should prove to be a better alternative to live

animal testing.

In order to gather information for my preliminary research, I read a lot of information on

websites, through books, and campaigns by organizations such as PETA. Sites that were useful

in presenting the Pros of animal experimentation include, Why Animals are used and Using

Animals for Testing: Pro Versus Cons. Sites that were useful contributors to the Cons of animal

experimentation include, The Flaws and Human Harms of Animal Experimentation,

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Arguments Against Animal Testing, Animals are not ours to Experiment On, Harm and

Suffering, and Animal Testing 101. I was also able to find two eBooks; Animal Experiments:

Opposing Viewpoints by Helen Cothran and The Rights of Animals by Debra Miller.

When it comes to Animal Experimentation, there are many different opinions. People

including animal activists would fight for the elimination of animal experimentation, while some

scientist would fight for it to still be used.

Initial Inquiry Question

What are the alternatives to using animals in medical experiments? What concerns have been

raised by the use of animals for medical scientific experiments?

My Interest in this Topic

I am interested in animal experimentation because anyone who knows me knows that I

love animals and Im curious to see what happens to them in research facilities. At first I was

completely against animal experimentation, but now that I researched both the pros and cons, I

am leaning more towards the continuation of animal experimentation as long as the animals are

treated more humanely in the facilities.

Next Steps

After I submit my topic proposal I plan on researching recent stories from Universities

and labs across the country. I would also like to invest more time in activists groups such as

PETA. The library would be a good place to look for articles but they dont have many recent

books.