¨Animal testing has been a highly controversial issue ¨(Volti). It is defined as ¨the use of animals in research [to further] drug efficacy and the safety of products ¨ (Crystal). "Research on living animals has been practiced since … 500 BC''  (ProCon.org). In 1983, 22 million animals, mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish were used for research, testing, and education in the United States. Eighty-five percent were rats, mice, dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates, constituting less than 2 percent. It is estimated that 26 million animals are used every year in the United States for scientific and commercial testing  (ProCon.org). In recent decades animals have been widely used to test consumer products. ¨Animals are used to develop medical treatments, determine the toxicity of medications, check the safety of products destined for human use, and other biomedical, commercial, and health care uses "(ProCon.org). Many different types of animals are used in research, such as mice and rabbits. These animals are used because their DNA is similar to human development and growth. In 1966, an Animal Welfare Act was created to use laboratory animals. This act, which was amended several times in the occurring years, set minimum standards for sanitation, feeding, ventilation, and watering for most mammals but excluded rats, mice, birds, and farm animals. Animal testing is a controversial issue that has been around for a long time.

First of all, animal experimentation has been found to be beneficial to humankind (Crystal). Animal testing takes part in life-saving cures and treatments. Animal testing contributes to ensuring that vaccines are safe. Some cosmetics and health care products are needed to be tested on animals to ensure their safety (ProCon.org). “Animals often make better research subjects than human beings because of their shorter life cycles" (ProCon.org). Most researchers believe that for certain kinds of research, there are no substitutes for animals for experimentation. The research on a dog in which the animal’s pancreas was removed caused the discovery of insulin in the 20th century. This has saved and helped the lives of millions of diabetics worldwide (Crystal). Without the use of animals in research, the discovery of medical milestones will be unclear (Casper). Animals have been involved in an essential role in developing treatments for many diseases, both human and nonhuman. By applying treatments to animals and observing an animal's reaction, many life-saving medications have been improved, increasing our quality of life. Testing on animals effectively creates good medicines to increase our quality of life and save it. Some animals have similar development and growth, and DNA as humans. This shows that animals are good to test because they are identical to the human body. Supporters say animal testing is beneficial to humankind and should be allowed.

On the other hand, acknowledging the cons of animal testing can save many animals' lives. Based on the public outcry about animal testing and the treatment of animals broke out in the United States in the mid-1960s, leading to the approval of the AWA. The Animal Welfare Act is an organization that tries to prevent horrific cases of animal abuse in research laboratories; however, they have not succeeded. On November 29, 1965, an article illustrated an issue about how pepper, a farmer's pet Dalmatian(dog), was kidnapped and sold for experimentation. Pepper, the dog, died after researchers tried to inject an experimental drug into her body (ProCon.org). ¨According to the Human Society International, animals are routinely force-fed, forced to inhale toxic compounds, deprived of food and water, physically restrained for prolonged periods, and burned; some of them reportedly even have their necks broken and are decapitated ¨(Crystal). Technology is moving forward, and there is less need for animal experimentation (Crystal). While much scientific research cannot be sufficiently done without animals, commercial safety testing, such as by cosmetics companies, is increasingly being done without the use of animals in testing. Two ways to substitute animals for testing include scientists testing vaccines on human volunteers and human genes getting cloned to test harmful substances (ProCon.org, Crystal). Many animals are getting killed in testing, and some are getting mistreated. Technology now can replace animals for some tests to avoid testing on animals.

Overall, I agree with the opposing side; however, the pros have some valid points. Not all testing can be done without animals. Testing on animals is saving a lot of lives. Animals are getting tested to help people who need treatment. However, animals are mistreated in laboratories, and some living situations are revolting. ¨There is a common practice for animals´ eyes to be held open with clips for hours, even days, in testing cosmetics products ¨ (Crystal). This shows how some testing can go way too extreme because they have no limits to harm the animals during testing. "Only 5% of animals used in experiments are protected by US law" (ProCon.org). US law is supposed to protect animals in the laboratories for testing, but since only five percent of animals are covered, how about the other ninety-five percent? In summary, animal testing can improve by getting a better environment for the animals. We can save many lives using different methods of testing while sparing animals.