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Animal Experiments: Ethics and Necessity

While some argue that the extinction of animal species is a natural process that humanity should not interfere with, the author disagrees. In the past when human activity was not the primary driver of extinction, this argument held more weight. However, today human dominance has become the leading cause of species loss through activities like deforestation and climate change. As the impacts of industry and population growth are driving thousands of species to extinction, humanity must now take responsibility for conservation to help restore biodiversity and curb the effects of modern progress.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views6 pages

Animal Experiments: Ethics and Necessity

While some argue that the extinction of animal species is a natural process that humanity should not interfere with, the author disagrees. In the past when human activity was not the primary driver of extinction, this argument held more weight. However, today human dominance has become the leading cause of species loss through activities like deforestation and climate change. As the impacts of industry and population growth are driving thousands of species to extinction, humanity must now take responsibility for conservation to help restore biodiversity and curb the effects of modern progress.

Uploaded by

HongNhieu Nguyen
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TOPIC 20: ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS

Task: Some people claim that it is acceptable to use animals in medical


research for the benefit of human beings while other people argue that it is
wrong.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
While many people nowadays support animal experimentation for
medical purposes, some claim that these experiments are unethical and
unnecessary. From my perspective, I am of the former school of thought.
Admittedly, one might argue that experiments involving the use of
animals for the sake of humans are cruel and unacceptable. This is primarily
predicated on the assumption that: in moral terms, each animal is a living
creature. Therefore, its life must be respected and we have no ethical rights to
kill them for our own benefits. They also point to the fact that: laboratory
animals are often subjected to toxic substances, say, experimental infections
and chemicals which subject them to extreme pain and harm. As a result,
animals suffer from not only pain but also fear, and these scientific
procedures can even lead to animals’ death in agony. For example, to get an
official approval for public usage of many vaccines, thousands of lab mice had
been deformed and died after undergoing these vaccination testing processes.
However, this line of reasoning is not sound since over the last few
decades, scientists have been working on ways/different methods/approaches
to lessen/ease/alleviate the pain exerted on lab animals and reduce their deaths
to the least extent. In other words, the lives of such creatures are somehow
respected under lab conditions. Moreover, for the time being, there is no
alternative to vivisection in the pursuit of medical development regardless of
how advanced medical technologies are as almost no alternatives found that
can fully construct or replicate animal cells to cater for certain pieces of
research. New drugs or vaccines, if tested on humans first instead of
undergoing animal experimentation, would eventually result in devastating
consequences on human beings.
In conclusion, although there is some truth in the view that it is wrong
to use animals in medicine development , I hold a firm belief that animal
usage in medical research still plays an indispensable role in developing
medicines to save lives and prevent people suffering illnesses and diseases.
Sample 1: In conclusion, although some might argue that animal
experimentation should be totally banned for ethical reasons, I hold a firm
belief that such practice can still be continued because of experimental
protocols to minimize harmful effects on those creatures and its indispensable
role in medical breakthroughs.
Sample 2: In conclusion, there exists an argument that it is inhumane to apply
animal experimentation in the medical sector. However, given the fact that
there has hitherto been no optimal alternative to animal testing and many
experimental inventions to minimize adverse effects on lab animals’ health are
designed, I believe that this practice should still be implemented in the future.
Task: In the modern world, it is no longer necessary to use animals as food,
or, to use animal products, for example, clothing and medicines.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
These days, there are numerous alternatives to animal-based products.
This has led some to argue that it is unnecessary for human beings to use them
as food, for clothing and curing illnesses. Personally, I believe that while
clothes and medicines made from animals are not anymore essential in our
lives , the need for food produced from animals is inevitable.

Admittedly, it is true that using animal products for clothing and


medicines is no longer needed in the modern world. Firstly, regarding the
former, while centuries ago, our ancestors’ outerwear was mainly made from
animal hide, now Various types of non-animal material were invented, for
example, synthetic fur and silk, in ways that the same or even greater comfort
can be offered. Secondly, with the advancement of medical technologies,
animal-based drugs can be totally replaced. Herbal extracts, say, are widely
adopted as a remedy to various ailments such as wounds, toothache, or upset
stomach.

However, in terms of food, I firmly believe that animals still play an


important role in our daily nutrition. To begin with, it is nearly impossible for
human beings to stop using animals as the main source of food as they have
been including livestock’s meat and fish in their daily diet for such a long
time. It would be difficult, nay impossible for them to change their eating
habits that have existed since their old ancestors’ era. Moreover, nowadays,
animal products, such as eggs, milk and seafood are the major source of high-
quality, balanced and highly bioavailable protein, which are crucial in
maintaining a good physical health. In other words, consuming animal-based
food is highly essential in the pursuit of physical well-being or on a larger
scale, a healthy and productive population worldwide.

To conclude, while I agree that there is no need to use clothing and


medical products manufactured from animals, in terms of food they still
remain as one of the most important sources of nutrition to humans.

Animal species are becoming extinct as a result of human activities on land and
in sea. Why has this happened? What are the solutions? (tự viết)
It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct (e.g. Dinosaurs,
dodos ...) There is no reason why people should try to prevent this from
happening. Do you agree or disagree?
Some today argue that humanity should not interfere with the extinction of
other species. In my opinion, this was a more legitimate argument in the past, when
mankind was not the primary driving force behind this phenomenon.
Throughout history, extinction has been part of natural selection and
evolution. Creatures such as the dinosaurs disappeared due to a likely cataclysmic
event, but in more recent history, less adaptable species have also gone extinct.
Humanity, in these cases, played either no role or one commensurate with the rest
of nature. This can be seen as necessary to the work of nature. Certain species
develop and prosper, while other ones do not and perish. A modern, compassionate
public might view this as inhumane, but the indifferent cruelty in nature has served
the historic purpose of maintaining a healthy, thriving, and diverse ecosystem.
However, contemporary human dominance must be accompanied by a larger
share of responsibility. Mankind is no longer one animal among many, but the
dominant species whose actions affect the majority of other animals. The most
pertinent examples of this relate to deforestation and climate change. In order to
sustain booming populations, production has stripped bare sections of the earth,
decimating natural habitats and plunging thousands of species to the brink of
extinction. The causal role of human industry necessitates taking responsibility.
Moreover, there are simple steps that could be taken to preserve species and curb
the effects of human progress. If countries collectively committed to moderate
conservation efforts, then the earth could be restored to a more natural equilibrium.
In conclusion, though humanity was not at fault for past extinctions, the
current influence of industry means that we should now take responsibility for
biological diversity. Once a species disappears, it will never return.

Common questions

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The argument that animal testing is indispensable in medical research stems from its critical role in advancing medical knowledge and developing treatments. While ethical concerns highlight the pain and suffering animals endure, current scientific limitations make vivisection nearly unavoidable because no alternative replicates the complex biological processes necessary for certain research . Additionally, the potential human health risks if untested on animals further bolster the argument for its necessity, despite ongoing advancements aimed at reducing animal suffering in research environments .

Human industry significantly contributes to species extinction by destroying natural habitats through activities like deforestation and pollution, which are essential for supporting industrial growth . Society can balance this growth with ecological responsibility by implementing sustainable practices, such as responsible resource management, habitat conservation, and pollution control measures. Facilitating global collaboration towards these practices and enforcing policies that align industrial activities with ecological preservation are pivotal steps . Mindful integration of technological and conservation advancements can support both development and biodiversity.

Animal-based food is still considered necessary because it provides high-quality, balanced, and highly bioavailable protein, which is essential for maintaining physical health . Despite technological advancements in alternative food sources, the long-standing cultural and dietary habits centered around consuming animal products have persisted, making it nearly impossible to completely replace them with alternatives . Moreover, animal-based food contributes to the nutritional needs of a healthy and productive population at a global scale .

Historically, extinctions were largely seen as natural processes without significant human involvement, where species that were less adaptable to environmental changes would die out . In modern times, however, humans are the primary drivers of many extinctions through activities like deforestation and climate change . As the dominant species, humans now have a greater responsibility to manage biodiversity and prevent extinctions by integrating conservation efforts into development strategies, reducing environmental impacts, and maintaining ecological balance .

Advancements in technology have significantly reduced reliance on animal products in clothing and medicine. Synthetic materials like faux fur and silk provide alternatives to traditional animal-based clothing, offering similar or superior comfort without harm to animals . In medicine, herbal extracts have increasingly substituted animal-based remedies, addressing various health issues effectively . However, the reliance on animal-derived food remains largely unchanged due to cultural dietary habits and the high-quality nutrition, particularly protein, offered by animal-based foods like eggs and milk, which are essential for maintaining human health .

Modern technologies and alternative materials have lessened the necessity of animal products in the clothing industry by providing viable substitutes like synthetic fur and silk, which match or exceed the comfort of traditional animal-derived materials . These innovations enable consumers to maintain the quality and functionality associated with animal products without resorting to animal exploitation, reflecting advancing consumer preferences and ethical considerations . The shift towards sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives demonstrates the industry's adaptive response to technological progress.

The high rates of animal extinction today are primarily due to human activities like deforestation and climate change. As humans expand populations and industrial activities, natural habitats are destroyed, causing many species to face imminent extinction . The solutions involve taking responsibility for these impacts and implementing conservation efforts. If countries collaborate to initiate moderate conservation measures, it could help stabilize ecosystems by preserving habitats and species . Responsible environmental policies and restoration practices are crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of human progress on biodiversity.

Ethical considerations in animal research primarily revolve around the idea that animals are living creatures whose lives deserve respect, thus making it unethical to harm or kill them for human benefit. This view is supported by the fact that laboratory animals often endure pain and fear due to exposure to toxic substances, experimental infections, and chemicals, which can even lead to their death . On the other hand, the scientific responsibility includes ensuring that the benefits of animal research in medical advancement outweigh the ethical costs. Scientists have made efforts to alleviate the pain and reduce deaths through improved laboratory practices . Since there are no fully suitable alternatives, animals remain crucial for medical testing to prevent potential human harm from untested drugs .

Human exploitation of natural resources has resulted in significant biodiversity loss due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change . Species are driven to extinction as their natural environments are degraded or eliminated to meet the demands of expanding populations and industrial activities . Effective measures to address these impacts include implementing sustainable resource management, enhancing conservation initiatives, and fostering international cooperation to safeguard ecosystems. These efforts should aim to mitigate environmental damage while promoting economic growth that aligns with ecological preservation .

Moral perspectives on animal experimentation have evolved with growing concerns about animal welfare coupled with advancements in scientific methods that aim to reduce harm. While it remains controversial, efforts have been made to alleviate the pain and minimize the deaths of lab animals through improved experimental protocols . However, due to the lack of comprehensive alternatives replicating animal cell functions, moral considerations are balanced by the perceived necessity of such research for medical advancements, including the development of new drugs and vaccines that otherwise could pose risks if directly tested on humans .

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