by Barb Taliaferro

Created on: January 25, 2009   Last Updated: November 14, 2009

Animal testing in the United States should be seen as a necessary part of responsible progress. Every day countless numbers of people in the United States and around the world live through injuries and illnesses that previously would have been fatal. Surgical methods, diagnostic tools, vaccinations, and drugs, both over the counter and prescription, are continuously updated and improved. This feat could not be accomplished without testing of medications and techniques on live animals. That is not to say that it is something that should be taken lightly nor should researchers be given carte blanche to do as they please with the animals. It is and should be continue to be a very well regulated process.

In the United States the Animal Welfare Act is used to regulate the treatment of animals in research facilities. This law sets up specific and stringent guidelines for the care and treatment of animals in any laboratory setting. It lays out very clearly what must be done for each type of animal as far as housing, feeding, handling and veterinary care. Before the start of any research project a detailed plan must be submitted that outlines the goal of the research and the specific details about what procedures or techniques will be used on the animals to accomplish this goal. The research facility is required to prove that the same results could not be obtained without the use of live specimens. Once the plan is approved, the facility is inspected by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) to make sure these standards are being met and there are follow up surprise visits conducted at least once a year to ensure that these standards are being maintained. If it is found that these regulations are not being followed the research facility runs the risk of being shut down and any current projects being discontinued. This would lead to a large loss of revenue for the company involved as all data from the tests would be invalidated, requiring them to start the entire process over. This ensures that the companies involved with animal testing have ample incentive to follow the government's guidelines.

All people benefit from the testing done on animals. The basics of medical care and treatment that we in the 21st century take for granted could not have been achieved without the research and results acquired through animal testing. It is obviously not possible to alleviate all pain and suffering from the process but it is possible to minimize it through stringent guidelines and a rigorous inspection process. Humane treatment of the animals involved is not only required but improves the accuracy of the results thus lessening the need for repetitive testing. Perhaps as the computer generated models improve it will be possible to do away with most if not all testing done on live animals, but for now the best we can do is ensure the humane and ethical treatment of the animals involved and acknowledge that animal testing is necessary to maintain and improve our standards of living.

Learn more about this author, Barb Taliaferro.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.