I'm not much of a science person, so when I write on topics such as this I speak from general knowledge and conceptual understanding of the variables involved. When it comes to what is good or bad, evil or good it is all comes down to public acceptance of it, though each individual in the society are of diverse perspectives which influence how we view some subjects but the most difficult of it all is when we are trying to analyse what feels right and somehow feels ethically wrong. Doesn't that make the concept of good or bad a lot complex? The diversity in human perspective is not stable, it is fickle. The acceptability of certain things in the society are sometimes measured by the good it does.
So when it comes to usage of animals as test subject in laboratories for science purpose is something we first need to understand before speaking ill of it. For starters why is it done? What purpose does it serve? We live in a world where everyday comes all kind scientifical inventions which has greatly enhance human lives. The contribution of science to the world is something incomparable, all kind of innovative medicine and all but we never ask how it comes to be. How are these medicines proven to be safe for human use? For something to be said to be tested and trusted it has to have gone through trials to ensure it is safe for human consumption.
This is where animal trials comes in, for thousands of innovative medications we have out there, they were tested before it is approved for production. How do you confirm that something works? The usage of animals as test subject in laboratories is mainly to monitor the effect of a particular substance. It has to go through several animal trials has scientist gradually monitor its progress, take notes of possible side effects as they step into different phases of the substance production. There are some drugs that would eventually have to go through human trials also, though it is risky but to an extent I consider the level of risk minimal because during the animal trials they would have been a lot of adjustment in the substance production based on the level of effects it has the animals it is being tested on.
There is a statement "Lab rats don't have rights" whenever someone is referred to as a lab rat it translates to a person without any form of control over their lives, they are used and dumped as their owner pleases. Judging from the statement it makes those animals being used as test subject in laboratories look pitiful. I mean it is not as if anyone seeks their approval before using them for life threatening procedures, they are not even aware of what is happening to them. They are lower creatures since they are not humans but they also have lives and being subjected to such Erroneous endeavours, it does feel ethically wrong.
In a case such as this, what would you rather have? Would you prefer humans to be used as test subjects for any kind of newly produced substance created to solve a particular health issue in the society or would you buy any medication if you are aware that it has never been tested before it was approved for mass production? would you feel safe consuming such a drug? Even with numerous trials before production, it is clearly written on some drugs about the dangers of consuming it, some of you might not be aware but there are some drugs that is like consuming a poison to cure a disease, that is how complex science can be.
We live in a world where we have to choose between what is bad and what is evil to secure the survival of mankind, isn't that the whole point of the greater good? So it doesn't really matter if it feels ethically wrong, this is how we progress because the alternative have more catastrophic effect. It is either them or us, imagine a choice like this, what do you think your answer would be? Life isn't fair to any creature on earth, when it comes human survival some sacrifices are made and this is just one of them.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "For the sake of science" in hive learners community.
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