Persuasive Essay Final
Animal drug testing has two different sides. Animal drug testing
should be used frequently. Animal testing will ensure safety to humans
with new drugs. Additionally, animals are built with the same basic
body structure as humans and the results of tests would be very similar.
Another argument is that most drugs are not safe for all types of
patients.
By testing new drugs on animals before prescribing them to the
public, will ensure safety to everyone. For example, toxins and side
effects that sometimes are lethal to humans can be identified easier by
noticing the animal behaviors and examining its blood for toxins.
Thanks to animal testing, scientists identified many side effects such as
amnesia, serious skin reactions, hallucinations, intestine problems, loss
of senses (taste, smell, etc.) and many more. When drugs are not tested
well, many side effects are not identified. Every year, many children
suffer because of the side effects and toxins that are not identified
during testing, especially children under the age of five. Finally, many
drugs not tested on animals can kill adults. In a hospital in 2006, in
London, England, an anti-inflammatory drug caused major organ failure
to many people who took it because it had not been tested on animals
first. Some people say drugs would be safer to humans if they were not
tested on animals. Not all drugs are used for their original purpose, with
animal testing doctors or researchers can find out what other benefits
drugs can have. For instance, a drug originally made for the flu could
also cure a stomach virus.
Another advantage is that animals have the same main body parts
as humans do. This is good because the reactions an animal would have
from a drug wouldn’t be different from a human’s reaction. In fact,
without animals testing, doctors wouldn’t know how to do blood
transfusions or organ transplants. They breed many animals so they can
get tests with more accurate results and more information. Moreover,
some people say that it is cruel to use animals in this way. However, by
testing new drugs on animals, human safety will be ensured. If drugs
weren’t tested on animals many humans would suffer. The animals
used for these experiments are bred specifically for this purpose.
Finally, scientists test drugs on animals because not all drugs are
safe for the public. In the UK it’s a law to test new drugs on at least two
different species. Thalidomine is a drug that was not thoroughly tested
before prescribed to women. When used by a pregnant woman, it
seriously deformed the baby. In an AMA (American Medical Association)
survey, 99% doctors and scientists believed animal testing has
contributed to great medical advancement. Some people might say
animal testing isn’t necessary and that the tests are not accurate, but if it
weren’t for animal testing, humans wouldn’t have cures for cancer,
pneumonia, malaria, and many other diseases that if not cured could
result in an epidemic or plague. Thanks to animal testing we can kill
these diseases before they spread out.
In conclusion, people should use animals to test drugs. Using
animals to test drugs avoids using human volunteers. Animal testing
will help scientists ensure safety to everyone with new drugs. Test
results aren’t different when testing on animals or humans. Not all
drugs are safe for the public. This is why doctors should use animal drug
testing because of all of its medical advancements and benefits.