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Upon learning that he won the Nobel Prize for medicine for his organ transplant research, Dr. Joseph Murray said, 'None of this could have been done without animal experimentation. It is a tragedy and a waste of resources that scientists have to combat the anti-vivisectionists.' [1] Controversy surrounding animal testing first started in the 17 th century, when physiologist Edmund O'Meara and his supporters argued, 'the benefit to humans (does) not justify the harm to animals.' [2] However, on the other side, Claude Bernard, known as the 'father of vivisection,' [3] argued thus: 'experiments on animals ... are entirely conclusive for the toxicology and hygiene of man... the effects of these substances are the same on man as on animals, save for difference in degree.' [4] Although many people are against animal testing for medical and drug research, I believe animal testing is necessary because there has been a lot of medical knowledge gained from this experimentation. Animal rights activists protest against the inhumane treatment of animals, but animals in research facilities are actually treated quite well, in accordance with the strict regulations which govern animal care. While alternatives to animal research exist, these do not provide researchers with as much useful information as vivisection.
Opposition
Many organizations, such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, actively condemn the cruel treatment of animals in medical research. However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have strict regulations for animal testing. The NIH funds over half of the medical research conducted in the US [5] and regularly visits research facilities to ensure that staff are following animal care regulations. The USDA surveys the total number of animals being used for research and how many of these animals experience pain. According to them, only 6% of animals being tested experience pain. [6] The Animal Welfare Act of 1966 is one of the laws that regulates animal care in research and exhibitions. This act is enforced by the USDA and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Groups such as the Use Committee and Animal Care were formed through this act. They aim to guarantee that allowing facilities to test substances on animals...