by Breda Coyle

Created on: September 02, 2008   Last Updated: March 28, 2010

Animal testing is needed. It is not morally wrong in my believe to test on animals. I used to be dead against it until one day I sat in a lecture and actually was open to what was being said. it is necessary for the continuation of the human race as well as the animal kingdom.

These animals are born into captivity therefore they know no other way of happiness. As well, the main purpose of animals each day for survival is food, shelter, sleep and reproduction. They do not look around the lab and think "hey, these lads in white coats are going to inject stuff in me". No, instead they think "hey waiter over here with that food, good on ye!" These lab rats and dogs get better care than some pets these days. They get clean surroundings in a bacteria free area, nutritious food, a constant supply of fresh water and a shelter. Yes it is only to keep the animals in good health, but is it not better than rover's life?

Rover is the family dog we see time and time again all over the world who once so loved but unfortunately for him he grew up, the family got bored of him and he became considered a nuisance and now lies chained up in the backyard, lying in his own filth, never getting walked and lucky to get a feed, if his owners can manage to remember he is still there.

Who comes first anyway? Animals or humans? Don't get me wrong I love animals, always have, I used to believe it was cruel to test on them but I thought about it long and hard and humans, in my opinion, do come first.

Scientists don't just inject random drugs into these animals, no instead they research the disease for years, then analyze the drugs, next they carry out some chemical tests on the new drugs. Researchers attempting to develop drugs against HIV and other diseases use HeLa cells and other immortal cell lines first for early experiments. Afterwards when they are confident that they have the right chemical balance in the medication, they test it on the smallest lab animals for toxicity and effectiveness because it takes a functioning immune system to test responses. When the drug passes the test, they move up the ladder to the next animal in line (i.e. the bigger one) like a dog and then on to humans.

In a perfect world, there would be no disease, no hurt and no pain and no need for medications therefore no lab rats or dogs but this isn't a perfect world!

If your child or loved one was terminally ill, would you reject life saving medication because it was tested on lab animals? When your dog needs its annual injections, would you stop them getting them because other dogs were tested with it first?

Every living creature has a purpose on this planet; maybe it is lab animals to be HEROS!

Lab rats and dogs save millions of lives each year. They are real heroes. If you could give your life to save millions, would you?

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