Animal Testing

Is it right that psychologists and cosmetic companies frequently test their ideas and products out on lab animals?

I find such practices horrific and a clear breech of animal rights.

What are your views?

Hey,

It is legal in many countries, but only on certain animals. Mice are typically the ones that are killed for the 'benefit' of science. I have seen such experiments and know someone who conducted them. In my view, it is all completely wrong. However, without animal-testing, many of the drugs we take for our benefit would not exist. That is irrelevant though - I still hold the view that it is wrong.

Other animals that are tested include fish, amoebae, and monkeys (only in rare cases).


Kevin

If it serves a clear purpose and is not unduly damaging to the animal, I'm okay with it if it's for a good reason. Cosmetics and such, no, that's not really necessary so it ventures into unduly cruel, but drug testing, I don't see any problem

I don't believe that animals have any inherent rights, so that's not really an issue for me, it's simply a matter of how necessary it is. Just like I don't have a problem with hunting as long as the hunters are responsible and do it right

That's my take, at least

DownAnd0ut wrote:I don't believe that animals have any inherent rights, so that's not really an issue for me, it's simply a matter of how necessary it is.

Don't forget that we are animals too. In my opinion, we have just as much rights as insects, mammals, fish, etc. Did you know that, in cosmetic testing, they apply potential cosmetics to the eyes of the animals and force them to ingest them? How cruel is that... ...

I don't consider humans animals, I just don't. It's not something I'm interested in debating either, I'm honestly not trying to be rude if I sound like it, it's just not an issue I think is worth getting into on an internet forum. It's just what I think

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I was just looking at it from a purely scientific point of view - i.e. There are 5 kingdoms of life:

-Plantae
-Animalia
-Fungi
-Protista
-Monera

Humans belong to Animalia and - scientifically-speaking - are animals. I know the perspective you are taking though. Even some scientists that I know don't call humans animals. it makes no difference though.

Apologies,
Kevin.

What are Protista and Monera?

The Monera are just all types of Bacteria. The Protists are unicellular organisms like the Amoeba and Algae. Some scientists don't see Protista as a kingdom, however, and include the Amoeba in Animalia and Algae in Plantae.

Oddly enough, Viruses are not regarded as living organisms at all. They just consist of a strand of genetic material surrounded by a protein-coat and don't qualify as life.

Kevin.

I've heard of some scientists that consider viruses living. Although I know most don't, since they only have RNA and lack DNA and the ability to reproduce on their own

They're kinda freakish, pesky little buggers, aren't they?

I would rather them test medications on animals before humans, and this is coming from a patient overmedicated.