Use of Animals in Medical Research

Animals are used in medical research to obtain information about living organisms without having to use human subjects. Science has used animals in studies for thousands of years and has made many breakthroughs that have helped mankind. Although as strong effort to minimize and regulate the process of animal testing is in place, many alternatives have not been found.

History

Over the centuries a number of scientific and medical breakthroughs have used animals to test theories. Louis Pasteur was the first to convincingly show that animals could be used in the research of diseases. He demonstrated germ theory by giving anthrax to sheep in the 1880s. The following decade, Ivan Pavlov used salivating dogs to show classical conditioning. In 1922, insulin was extracted from dogs to treat diabetes. Russians used a dog, Laika, to test the effects of space on mammals in 1957 by rocketing her into orbit. Dolly the sheep was cloned from an adult cell, proving the possibilities of cloning technique in 1996.

Features

The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection estimates that 100 million animals are tested on each year.
Four classes of animals are commonly used: invertebrates, small animals, cats and dogs and primates.
Invertebrates such as flies and worms offer scientists insight into collective actions and community development. The short life spans make them ideal candidates for large scale research. However, worms and insects have less-developed nervous and immune systems, limiting their usefulness in disease work.
Mice and rabbits are the most commonly used of small animals. The genetic makeup of these animals is 99 percent similar to humans. They also contain many of the same features since they are mammals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 20 million rats and mice are used in medical research each year. Physiology and toxicology testing as well as genetic and cancer research are most commonly practiced on these animals.
Cats and dogs are used in neurology, endocrinology, cardiology and bone research. The USDA shows that 66,000 dogs are used in facilities in the U.S. each year. Most are purchased in auctions or from shelters.
The USDA states that approximately 70,000 primates are used in medical research each year worldwide. These animals are nearly identical to humans, making them perfect subjects for behavioral studies, reproductive experiments, genetics, xenotransplantation and AIDS research.
The majority of these animals, with the exception of cats and dogs, are bred throughout the U.S. and China for research. Most of the world's experimental animals come from these two sources.

Types

Pure research is the scientific process of investigating how organisms develop, behave and function. The majority of this research involves the manipulation of genes, studies on memory and social behavior and breeding experiments.
Applied research is used to solve a specific problem. Genetic modification and drug modification are common types of this method of medical research.
Xenoransplantation involves transplanting an organ or tissue from one species to another. This allows scientists to see which type of animals are compatible to each other.
Toxicology testing is a form of safety precaution for humans. Pharmaceutical and cosmetics are first tested on animals to see the effects on a living organism. This involves drugs, cleaning and hair product and makeup. Scientists record the effects on different parts of the body including digestive track and eyes.

Significance

The ethics regarding animals in medical research are the subject of much debate. Throughout history, many opponents of vivisection established organizations to combat the research, claiming it caused unnecessary pain and discomfort on animals.
The first law regarding the treatment of animals in medical testing was established in 1876 when the British Parliament passed the Cruelty to Animals Act. The U.S. passed the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act in 1966, which placed stipulations on how the animals were to be kept and a process of euthanasia for the subjects following experiments. The National Institute of Health and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee oversee medical research guidelines. However, these laws do no apply to farm animals.
Modern groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals work to end the use of animals in medical research. Some elements within the organizations have committed illegal acts to stop the testing.

Considerations

Most governments and scientific organizations request that animal testing should be limited to what is absolutely necessary and should require as little suffering as possible. The U.S., European Union and many other countries have adapted guiding principles for this research called the "three Rs."
Reduction of animals in medical research is enforced to require researchers to obtain more information from fewer animal tests.
Replacement of animals in testing that may not require a full organism to complete the research.
Refinement of the process to minimize or control suffering, distress and pain. This process also calls for better living conditions for the animals still used.
Although these efforts have made progress, researchers are unable to find adequate replacements or alternatives to many forms of animal research.

Resources

• Animal Research Philisophical Viewpoint
• Essential Need for Animal Testing
• Animal Research Guidelines