• Question: Do you believe in testing on animals, even if it could mean you make a huge discovery?

    Asked by mcdermotti to Alan, Deepak, Francesca, Lilly, Nick on 11 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by senior, effervescence.
    • Photo: Nick Wright

      Nick Wright answered on 11 Mar 2014:

      I think it is only ok to test things on animals in very special circumstances, only if you think it could save lots of human lives and if the tests you do minimise any pain or discomfort to animals. For example if you had designed a cure for cancer I think it would be ok to test it on animals because it could save millions of lives. But I don’t think its ok to test things like perfumes on animals. What do you think?

    • Photo: Lilian Hunt

      Lilian Hunt answered on 11 Mar 2014:

      I think Nick has a very good point, testing on animals for medical advances is quite alright, so long as we follow the rules in making sure the animals are looked after but cosmetics like shampoo and perfume can be tested without the need for animals these days. When we use animals in experiments we have to follow the 3 Rs: reduce (use less animals where possible), refine (get more results without harming more animals) and replace (where possible, use other methods that will work just as well as animals). There are strict government rules about using animals and we all have to pass lots of tests before we are allowed to use them in science, including knowing how to look after them. But there are also rules that say we have to test new medicines on animals before they are allowed to be used by people. So until that changes, we legally have to test on animals in order to save human lives.

    • Photo: Francesca Day

      Francesca Day answered on 11 Mar 2014:

      I think it’s OK to test medicines on animals when there is no other alternative, and it could save lots of human lives. I understand why some people are against it completely though. My research doesn’t involve animals, but I do take medicines that have been tested on animals if I am ill. I try not to use products like shampoo and make up that have been testing on animals though.

    • Photo: Alan Fitzsimmons

      Alan Fitzsimmons answered on 11 Mar 2014:

      I don’t have to use animals in astronomy, but I agree with Nick and Lilian. It’s still important to test medicines on animals, especially the important ones that can save a persons life. That person could be someone in my family or your family, so until there’s a better way it should continue.

      But I don’t understand why companies should test perfumes and makeup on animals.

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