• Question: Do you support animal testing?

    Asked by emilyh to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 21 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Katherine Davies

      Katherine Davies answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      Hi

      This is a tough one to answer. I do not agree with animal testing where not necessary, such as for cosmetics etc. I do however believe that a certain level of testing is necessary for medical purposes, which should always be minimised where possible. Nowadays, every animal has to be accounted for and well looked after, and all projects go through ethical review to see if animal testing is vital.

      Unfortunately without animal testing, many drugs that humans rely heavily on would not have been developed or be saving lives. However, alternatives should always be researched and sought were possible. It would be amazing if one day, we could develop other methods of testing, but at present science need animals.

    • Photo: Jamie Pringle

      Jamie Pringle answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      Hello emilyh,

      I depends what they are doing. I doint agree with cosmetic industry testing their products on animals, it seems excessive to me.

      However there are some things which you have to test on animals first to check that they dont have consequences for humans (some life-saving drugs for example). However, note that they dont always work, the 1970s pregnancy Thalidomide drug for example was the most infamous (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide) where it didnt have any side affects on animals but sadly caused severe birth defects on the resulting mothers offspring.

    • Photo: Niamh Nic Daeid

      Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      hi Emily. Its a complex issue but no I don’t unless its absolutely necessary. In some medical research it is but I don’t support any testing on animals for cosmetics or other products of that sort

    • Photo: Mark Hill

      Mark Hill answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      Hello Emily,

      Generally, no. However, Kat has explained that her flies do not suffer or feel pain, so I accept that. I also accept that, for certain essential advances in medical research, procedures need to be tested on animals. I just wish that this was all humane.

      I strongly disagree in using animal testing for cosmetics and cleaning products, or for unnecessary cosmetic medical procedures.

      Thank you for your question.

      Mark.

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