Medicine Research on Animals

Did you know, dogs can be thanked for the revolutionary discovery of insulin? Not just dogs, but pigs, mice, monkeys, and other animals have been attributed to advancements in the polio vaccine, CAT scans, and carcinogen screenings. Animals have allowed humans to make groundbreaking discoveries, from vaccines to organ transplantation due to their biological similarities with humans. However, the use of animals in medicine has become a controversial topic due to the ethical skepticism. Since animals are such a vital component of advancements in medicine, organizations and scientists have been driven to maintain regulated and humane approaches.

How Animals are Used in Research

Animals allow scientists to view medical dilemmas at a molecular level while utilizing animal models. These models help researchers study the mechanisms of diseases and how they spread; often, animals are genetically modified to mimic the spread of human diseases. Animals are also used to determine the toxicity, dosage, and side effects of a drug, ensuring that they are safe and effective for humans to use. Pigs and sheep are commonly used to refine surgical methods and practice organ transplants, heart surgeries, and other techniques.

In Vitro experiments use tissues and cells obtained from animals to reproduce the complex systems of humans. This involves isolating tissues, cells, or even organs in a controlled environment, such as a test tube or petri dish.

Ethical Considerations

Although animals have been able to increase the scope of medicine, they are often mistreated and disregarded. To promote the welfare of animals, scientists have created the principle of the 3Rs, which include replacement, reduction, and refinement. Replacement involves alternatives to animal use, with a focus on computational models. In Vitro experiments and organoids, lab-grown human organs that mimic real organ functions, are two widespread forms of the replacement approach. The second R, Reduction, emphasizes the minimization of the number of animals used in experiments. Refinements modify procedures to lower to pain inflicted on animals during research. Scientists have worked to provide improved living conditions and be more considerate while designing experiments.

As technology rapidly advances, the reliance on animal research is expected to decrease in the future.  Animal research has played a huge role in the saving of lives, especially during global crises. While ethical predicaments are still ongoing, efforts to refine practices and develop alternatives have helped bring a balance between scientific progress and morality. 

Works Cited

Hajar, R. (2011). Animal testing and medicine. Heart Views, [online] 12(1), p.42. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-705x.81548.

Harvard Medical School (2024). Animal Research at HMS. [online] Harvard.edu. Available at: https://hms.harvard.edu/research/animal-research.

Kakkad, R. (2023). Exploring alternatives to animal testing in drug discovery. [online] Drug Target Review. Available at: https://www.drugtargetreview.com/article/110640/exploring-alternatives-to-animal-testing-in-drug-discovery/.

Regan, T. (2022). Animal Use - MU School of Medicine. [online] medicine.missouri.edu. Available at: https://medicine.missouri.edu/centers-institutes-labs/health-ethics/faq/animal.