According to yourdictionary.com animal testing is, “the practice of using non-human animals in scientific experimentation.” But what does this mean? Maybe it means that in 2021 an estimated 22 million animals are in experimental laboratories in the US only. Or the fact that over 100 million animals die every year world wide due to animal testing. Possibly that even though using modern day technology the scientific community has created new methods that don’t involve animals dying such as microdosing, virtual technology, and chips that stimulate human tissue but animal testing is still widley used. The correct answer… all of the above. Animal testing is a inhuman practice that is not morally correct espcaically since there are so many other options in 2021. 

As a society we have created new technologies and advanced in so many differ ways we have fortunately created many new alternatives to animal testing. Lots of different comapnies have stopped animal testing and used alternatives methods, but not nearly enough. Great minds such as Dr. Elias Zerhoun said “We have moved away from studying human disease in humans. … We all drank the Kool-Aid on that one, me included. … The problem is that [animal testing] hasn’t worked, and it’s time we stopped dancing around the problem. … We need to refocus and adapt new methodologies for use in humans to understand disease biology in humans.” For starters, many different laboratories have started to create chips that have human organs and tissue embedded in them which allows scientists to test on these chips instead of animals, this can be referred to as in-vitro testing. Many different companies have already begun to use this method of alternative testing such as AlveoliX, MIMETAS, and Emulate. Another form of testing could be using a small amount of the drug and inserting it into a human to see the body’s reaction. Due to the fact that the dosage is so small it can’t have any suivier effects on the body and is safe for humans in such small numbers. Technology also aids with this practice because this practice uses sophisticated imaging techniques to map out how the body is reacting. Although we have alternative resources instead of animal testing theur are still many different major comanies that test their products on animals such as Bath & Body Works, Calvin Klein, Bounty, NARS, Prada, and many more. Since there are so many different ways to test products these animals are dying for no reason and it needs to be stopped. 

Not only are these animals dying but they are also experiencing terrible conditions beforehand and sometimes slow and painful deaths. According to spots.com a total of 309,033 animals experience pain during animal testing. Although some are given pain treatment 56,031 experience pain and are not given pain treatment. Imagine animals living with unbearable pain, little to no food or water, just waiting to see if they might survive… Not only are they physically

abused 24/7 they also are being metnally abused with no social interaction at all and staying in cages most of the time. According to the PETA, “Before their deaths, some are forced to inhale toxic fumes, others are immobilized in restraint devices for hours, some have holes drilled into their skulls, and others have their skin burned off or their spinal cords crushed.” This is utterly horrific and it clearly needs to be stopped soon. What happened to dogs being man’s best friend? 

Although many animals that are being tested have similar DNA this doesn’t mean that the drugs will react the same way that they would to humans. When looking at the DNA between monkeys and humans, researchers found that 99% of DNA is the same, and 98% are similar with primates. Despite these similarities, according to People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, “92% of experimental drugs that are safe and effective in animals fail in human clinical trials because they are too dangerous or don’t work.” It is outrageous that these animals are being tested but the fact that more than 90% of the drugs that are safe on animals are not safe on humans is unbelievable. Not only is animal testing cruel but it is also illogical. 

Overall people have to remember what animal testing is next time your buying products from major companies. Try to look for companies that are cruelty free, and trust me there are plenty like elf, glossier, bare minerals, prose, and many more. It doesn’t take a lot to save an animal but with your help we can take the first steps to banning animal testing.