Testing, testing…

Don’t get me wrong, I love animals. In fact, I’m an inveterate lover of all things furry.

Do I disapprove of animal testing? Yes, and no.

I can sense some confusion on your part, dear reader, so I’ll elaborate.

It helps if you’re aware that testing on animals occurs for two different reasons. Cosmetic research, and medical research.

I wholeheartedly disapprove of testing cosmetics on animals – but then I also happen to be one of the (seemingly) rare woman who think that make-up, on the whole, is unnecessary in itself. However, as ‘cosmetic’ includes many other things, such as bath products and shampoo, I do try to buy things that I know haven’t been tested on animals. I don’t always check, but then I suppose I’m not as conscientious as some people. If that makes me a bad person, then so be it – let’s put it this way, I do not advocate cosmetic testing on animals.

However, in the field of medical research I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with testing on animals – as long as the guidelines for humane treatment are adhered to. As Dr. Beh Swan Gin (of the Singaporean Government’s Economic Development Board) puts it: “…we feel it’s more important to find the cause of diseases than to worry about the rights of mice…” [Quote taken from The Times, Friday 26th August 2005]

A little harsh-sounding, granted, but it does sum up my views quite effectively.

Militant animal rights activists can be awful; as a recently publicised news story shows. They profess concern for the well-being of animals, and express their indignation over the ethical implications of animal testing – yet do not seem to practice what they preach. Carrying out a six-year hate-campaign against a man who bred guinea pigs for medical research, which culminated in the closure of his business after the remains of his mother-in-law were stolen from the village churchyard – does that sounds ethical to you?

Stop right there, because I can guess what you’re about to say.

Not all those who lobby for animal rights are from the same mould – I’m aware of that. Sadly, however, it’s often the actions of those who are extreme that gain the most publicity. As a society we’re more willing to see the flaws and the atrocities than the good points and valuable work.

I appreciate that not everyone shares my views, however I don’t see why I should keep quiet because many of the people around me believe that I’m wrong. Do you oppose the usage of animals in medical research? If so, next time you have to take an antibiotic perhaps you should think about the animals that were part of its development. If you should ever be unfortunate enough to require an organ transplant, then remember that without the use of animals the techniques that we have developed would not be so finely honed.

If it came to a choice between saving your child’s life, would you refuse treatment because animals had been used in the research leading to a cure?

26/08/2005 ©