Ethics

The use of animals in medical researches has saved and also improved the quality of lives of many people and animals as well. Medicines, techniques and procedures currently used in diagnosing and curing diseases have been made easier by using animals in research. This has greatly helped to understand how the body works. Most of these researches are conducted in universities, hospitals and other institutes to find cures that reduce the death of human beings and at the same time the animals themselves (Understanding Animal Research, 2010).

Initially, most deaths were occurred as a result of infections and diseases and it was not until 1900 that developments were made to put an end to the deaths due to the introduction of animal testing (Understanding Animal Research, 2010). Major medical breakthroughs such as the discovery of anesthesia, artificial respiration, germ theory and the discovery of the AIDS causing virus have been arrived at as a result of animal testing (Understanding Animal Research, 2010). Medical research that uses animals should be continued as it aids in saving lives.

Use of animals for medical research is cruel and immoral
 Dissection of animals is also known as vivisection which can either be done either in part or completely and later the findings used in medical research (Monamy, 2000). Alternatively, animal reactions to different substances can be monitored from their behavior. In his research, Monamy recognizes the use of animals in conducting experiments in medicine fields such as psychology, physiology, biology and improvements in medical technology. However, animal rights activists consider actions inflicted to animals in the process of research as a form of cruelty, terming the actions as against the moral obligations of human beings to animals. Animal rights campaigners claim that animals possess moral rights and thus it is wrong for human beings to use them for experimental purposes (White, 2008). The findings of investigation on the morality of animals shows that a morally considerable creature as one that can be morally wronged. This is a capability that is generalized to be possessed by human beings despite there being no clear proof of any other animal with the same ability (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy, 2003).

According to Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy, a claim that human beings are more morally competent than animals grants them the ability to make decisions that affect both animals and human beings (2003). Also, this makes the human beings responsible for activities that enhance the dignity of all forms of life on earth. It has led to the development of processes and substances that ensure that life is habitable for both human and non-human beings. In the light of this view, proponents of animal testing have continued to cite this as a reason for the execution of animal testing.

In contrast, there has been a revelation of animals exhibiting feelings, especially primates. They have social ties with each other. This was discovered by their abilities to show emotions when one of them died after being depressed (2003). Other animals too have been proven to demonstrate high degrees of mental sophistication (White, 2008). In his book, Contemporary Moral Problems White claims that this argument accords them the moral right to be respected and not to be used in experiments. Birds such as parrots, mynahs and magpies are seen to be mentally competent (2008, pp. 347). More supporters of animal rights claim that animals have inherent value. Thus, they believe that every creature has the will to live its life free from pain or suffering like the one that may be caused by medical tests (Singer, 1975).
All beings are entitled to similar considerations in view of their capacity to be alive (Singer, 1975). In his book named Animal liberation a new ethics for our treatment of animals Singer explains that the capacity of some animals of the group of higher vertebrates to feel pain must not be ignored. He relates it to the ability of human beings to feel the same and hence the need to respect moral rights of animals. According to Singer, the fact that human beings continue to accord moral respect to retarded human beings and those considered to have lost their capacity for what is considered moral rights, is being unfair to animals. He adds that lack of moral rigths has led to animals being slaughtered for food and continously used in medical experiments (1975).

Why use animals for medical research
Currently, animals can be considered as the most appropriate scientific subjects of study. They can deduce findings that are most helpful and that can close health gaps caused by diseases in both animals and human beings (National Institutes of Health, 2010). For example, to comprehend and appreciate organ and cell function, researchers may propose experiments that could require the use of animals. This is because cell function and organization is mostly similar in all vertebrates (National Institutes of Health, 2010).

According to the National Institutes of Health, use of animal in medical research has helped to prevent and minimize loss of human and animal life, prevention of diseases, and the increase of life expectancy (2010). Scientific success in the improvement of human life is attributed to the findings derived from animal testing. Extensive use of animals in research has led to the innovation of more sophisticated methods of conducting research that ensure animals are subjected to little or no pain and more animal deaths are prevented (Monamy, 2000).

It is worthwhile to note that there are efforts to reduce the number of animals being used to conduct medical research. For instance, the study of molecular compatibility and blood component in relation to diseases has evidently reduced the need for testing animals. This is because blood samples are taken to determine changes in the reaction of body organs. This may entail blood drawn from the body of the subject for testing to eliminate the need to open up. More animals can be tested without the need to cut them open or subject them to unnecessary pain. In addition, some procedures are conducted after the animals are subjected to tranquilizers or anesthetization. Such a move ensures that animals are subjected to less cruelty and consequently preventing them from suffering injuries or even dying during the procedure. As a result, more experiments that involve the vivisection of animals have successfully been conducted without resulting in the death of the animals used (Monamy, 2000).

It is important to take into account that all kinds of medical research are planned, including animal testing. Experts are required to review propositions by scientists to experiment on animals and weigh the need to conduct the study against other considerations before approving the procedure. Animal testing is therefore controlled and not everyone with the ability to conduct the procedure is allowed to go ahead with it (National Institutes of Health, 2010).

The basic consideration in animal testing is its relevance to human and animal health. Studies also consider the need to protect the animals health during the process of the study as a moral obligation of the scientists (National Institutes of Health, 2010). A requirement under federal law by congress and the department of public health services ensure that only the fewest number of animals is used in medical studies is applied. At the same time, the animals are required to be treated with the highest degree of moral conduct that ensures they undergo the least possible distress (National Institutes of Health, 2010). This reveals that human beings have regard for the well being of animals and that they do not treat them as objects at their convenience.

Most animal research companies are dedicated to the use of the 3Rs which entail Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (Medical Research Council, 2010). Under the 3 Rs, procedures in animals testing are encouraged to be replaced by the most humane processes possible. Secondly, the companies and institutions that use animal testing in their research are making more effort to reduce the number of animals used for medical research. Refinement of husbandry methods and procedures are continuously being improved in an effort aimed at minimizing the pain that animals go through during the research process in order to improve the animal welfare (Medical Research Council, 2010).

The Medical Research Council has also come up with policies that ensure research institutions, whether government bodies, institutions of learning or private companies follow a guided set of rules that ensure animals used in testing are treated with dignity. The council also ensures that a minimal number of animals die during the research process. Further, the Medical Research Council requires research bodies to archive or share genetically altered animals to help reduce the number of animal deaths and prevent more from occurring as a result of testing procedures (2010). The existence of a regulating body in industries that use animals in their research ensures that fewer animals are used in research and only when necessary. Due to the inevitable need for animal testing, the council requires that fewer animal subjects are used and that they are treated well.

Conclusion
Moral views and the entitlement of animals to their moral rights continue to be a major topic of argument between animal rights activists and proponents of animal testing. Careful studies need to be conducted before putting blame on one side or the other to ensure a solution to the problem is arrived at and the argument is put to an end.

Despite the opposition of using animals in medical research, the benefits enjoyed may be seen to outweigh the cost of the procedure (Barney, 2010). Reality is seen to reveal that knowledge and benefits derived from using animals in medical research such as the development of new drugs for already existing diseases and conditions is of substantial benefit to both animals and human beings. This is because both animal and human beings are affected by diseases and conditions.

The use of animals in experiments and testing is essential in ensuring that diseases are prevented and cured not only in human beings but also in other animals. However, in line with law requirements, scientists are trying as much as they can to avoid the use of animals in their studies. There is also a mandatory requirement for researchers to submit their scientific reasons for using animals in their studies.

It is also important for scientists to invent more accurate and less brutal means of using animals in medical research and at the same time ensure a negligible number of them are used and only under circumstances that are very critical. A formal review of the use of animals in laboratory testing should also be done to ensure that researchers follow a uniform set of acceptable rules and regulations in order to prevent cases of animal torture. Methods used should also be reviewed in order to come up with more efficient and less pain processes.