Animal Research: A Life-Saving Technique

Essay by veryfatJunior High, 8th grade March 2005

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In a world without animals, human beings would probably live a short and miserable life. Why? Animal research has come a long way. After years of studies, tests, and research, people all around the world can live happier and healthier lives thanks to animal research. Without vital discoveries made from animal research, humans and animals would die of diseases and viruses that would have been prevented or treated had there been animal research.

Many advances in medical science have come from animal research. These include: vaccine that prevent measles, mumps, polio, and hepatitis; prevention of cancer; antibiotics; organ transplants; heart surgery and much more. Just think now for a moment. If animal research hadn't existed, where would humans be? When a person takes insulin for diabetes, gets blood transfusion for a life-saving operation, or takes medication to alleviate allergies, he or she is taking a product of animal research. It's easy to see that human beings' progress in health largely depends on animal research.

These achievements lead to a common misconception: only humans are benefited. On the contrary, animals themselves are also living better lives. Vaccines against rabies, feline leukemia, and parvovirus are created for animals because of their cooperation. Just in October this year, stem cell research on mice has created a treatment to save mice embryos from deadly heart disease by injecting embryonic stem cells into mice. In July of 2003, an injection of DNA-like RNA molecule in mice could help treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Contrary to animal research opponents, even animals can get the benefit they deserve.

There are a lot of animal research opponents out there. These people say that animals don't get adequate housing and food. Often times, these people often say that animals used in tests are maltreated and tortured. That is not the...