Well Louise, as you posted the question and you have stated your own opinion, you clearly want to know what other people think. Please don't be offended personally if I answer your post with my view.
This issue came up on another forum a few days ago. I would be interested to hear people's view's. Do you think its OK to test on animal's to find miracle cures for Cancer etc.....
Here's mine. (Please nobody be offended!)
I totally disagree with the whole animal testing issue. It’s barbaric and its a terrible reflection on the world we live in now.
This is a very emotional answer to a very political and scientific question. How an individual feels about something doesn't really contribute to the scientific, or political merits of something. Only the morality of the issue. If you want to influence peoples opinions you need to tackle all 3 issues.
Human's aren’t tested on to find miracle cure's for Animal Disease's? So why should animal's be tested on to help human's?
Well actually a lot of research that has been done on disease in humans pre-and post mortem does provide miracle cures for animals. Cancer, diabetes, asthma, vaccination and infection are all examples how human medical research affects the health and welfare of our rabbits. History is full of examples of medical discovery and breakthrough directly as a result of human experimentation.
1. Jenner - Discovers that the only people in town who didn't contract smallpox were the children who worked with cattle as milkmaids. Instead they subsequently developed cow pox. A less virulent but similar virus. Hello vaccinations. Jenners experiments with the children and hence vaccinations led to the eradication of smallpox around the world. At the time considered man's greatest achievement, wiping out the worlds largest killer.
2. AIDS - Men and women all over the world who are suffering a life sentence at the hands of AIDS are volunteering what is left of their health and life to test drugs and treatments that may either save them or those that will follow. Make no mistake, any medical discoveries here, if deemed safe could and would be used for the greater understanding of and advancements in treatment for feline AIDS.
You can't just make sweeping generalizations like this. People won't take your opinions seriously if you depend on sound bites.
What gives us the right to inflict pain, misery, torture and death on these poor animal's who are as much alive as you or me, who think and feel just like you and me?
Hello? They are alive like you and I yes but that's where the difference ends. If they think and feel like you and me they would have jobs and mortgages. Emotions and intelligent reasoning are the most complex of all cognitive processes. My rabbit sees food. He eats it. He sees a fox and he legs it. I see food and I ask for the ketchup. We are very very different. I would be interested to hear where you think these thoughts and feelings drop off on the scale? Do you disinfect your sink? Are you worried about the feelings of bacteria? Do you tread on ants? Do you swat flies? Do you use slug pellets? Do you slosh spiders down the bathtub drain? Do you cut worms in half with the spade when you are shoveling? Do you set mouse traps? Rat poison? Etc etc. Where is the line where animals/species "feelings" become or cease to become valid?
Why should animals suffer for us? What have they done to deserve this? We can’t even give these animal's the respect they deserve by keeping them out of rescue center's, never mind testing on them as well.
I do not respect animals. (except maybe sharks and lions, cause they eat people - survival of the fittest works both ways) I reserve respect for people. I have animals in my care and I give them the highest standard of care possible. I also feel great deal of affection for them. They are my pets and part of my extended family. I also don't believe animals have rights. My house is not a bunny democracy. When I have to go out, they go back in their cages. No question. Animals are animals. We have a responsibility of care if they are our charges but that is where it ends. I choose to keep rabbits in captivity. Potentially this could be viewed as selfish as I do it purely for my own enjoyment. My pets give me a great deal of pleasure. As a result, I have a duty, a moral responsibility to provide a quality of life that justifies my interference. Our house bunnies and pets live a good deal longer, are more healthy, less injured and more comfortable than a "wild" or natural rabbit. I cannot bear hearing stories of pets being mistreated. It makes me see the red mist to be honest but if I want to make a difference then I can start with setting an example at home with my own animals. Then I can volunteer to do home visits. I can help people become better carers of animals. I can persuade unsuitable people into thinking twice about the responsibility they are taking on.
I know how strongly you feel about all of this but you have to leave room in your mind for other peoples opinions otherwise you will never be able to influence them.
I think it's totally wrong.
Louise
If it was my fatally ill husband or animal testing I know what I would choose every time.
I will not apologise for being a human being.
Andrea