• Question: what do you think about using animals in science

    Asked by raggy to Adam, Joanna, Louise S, Louise W, Marcus on 12 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Louise Stanley

      Louise Stanley answered on 12 Nov 2012:

      I think that is a really interesting question. From my own personal point of view I am against the use of animals for the cosmetic industry. But I do feel the use of animals in some experiments are extremely useful and I don’t feel like we have an alternative at the moment – although maybe this will change in the future. To use animals in experiments you have to get special approval and the facilities have to hold special licences so it is not taken lightly – plus the animals themselves are also very expensive. I personally couldn’t work with the animals in this way so have chosen not to be involved with it.

    • Photo: Louise Walkin

      Louise Walkin answered on 12 Nov 2012:

      Like Louise S, I don’t agree with the use of animals for cosmetic research.

      However, the use of animals has allowed to make leaps and bounds in the world of science. There are so many things that we wouldn’t have if we had not been able to use animals. All of the painkillers that we use, from basic paracetamol to morphine, have all been developed and tested for safety using animals. Insulin for diabetics, salbutamol for asthma sufferers and so many other treatments have come around from us being able to use animals. If we hadn’t have used them in this way, many people may die from an asthma attack, something which can so easily now be treated with an inhaler. The best thing that we could use is another human – however, humans have many laws protecting them so we cannot do this. The animals in research are very well protected, and are well looked after. They are never allowed to be in pain and have only qualified individuals working with them. It takes a lot of training to be able to work with animals, and not every scientist is able to do it. I think it is very important that we carry on using animals in research until we find an alternative.

    • Photo: Joanna Giles

      Joanna Giles answered on 13 Nov 2012:

      I totally agree with both Louises!

      Animal testing for cosmetic reasons is wrong. Testing on animals for Science is not ideal and is never a first choice but is sometimes necessary. Animal studies in the UK are never allowed without very strict approval so that animals do not suffer pain or stress. Without the testing on animals we wouldn’t have so many drugs that are vital treatments in diseases like cancer.

      Personally, I have chosen not to work on animals in my studies, I work on blood that is donated by volunteers or patients.

    • Photo: Adam Paige

      Adam Paige answered on 14 Nov 2012:

      Many experiments can be done in cells grown in a laboratory, others can be done in human patients. But there are some experiments that cannot be done in cells or humans, but do need a living creature to understand what is happening. For example, proving that a new drug will actually work in a living creature and that it would be safe to give to a human requires that it is first tested on animals (usually mice). I agree that sometimes this is needed. But there are very tight controls and laws regulating it. You have to prove to the government that it is necessary, uses as few animals as possible and is as safe to them as possible. And they have to be carefully looked after by trained staff and veterinarians.

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