For a long time, animals have been used as test subjects for medical research. Some people believe that this practice is unacceptable. How much do you agree with this opinion?

For many years, medical

research

has used animals to test treatments, cures and vaccines. It has been argued by many people that

this

animal experimentation should be banned.

Although

animal testing has some drawbacks, I am of the opinion that medical

research

on animals must continue.

However

, testing medicines on animals needs to continue for several reasons. Clearly,

this

kind of

research

has proven effective in treating HIV, AIDS, Malaria and countless other life-threatening diseases. These diseases target the poorest of humanity and

thus

this

research

is justified from an ethical standpoint. Most importantly, there are no reasonable alternatives to

this

kind of

research

. The only other options are to stop making progress in the fight to cure disease or

to begin

testing on humans. There are a number of concerns associated with the practice of testing medicines on animals.

First

of all, ethical arguments could be raised around the rights of animals. Some would argue that animals, particularly primates, should have the same rights as humans seeing that they share our DNA and have intelligence.

Secondly

, the way animals are treated even in the best facilities is cruel.

For example

, animals are kept in cages, injected with deadly viruses and often

euthanized

. In conclusion, while medical

research

on animals infringes on the rights of primates

in particular

, and is no doubt cruel, it

also

has a history of helping the people most affected by disease and illness.

Furthermore

, the alternatives to

this

practice are unthinkable.

Therefore

, I believe that testing medicines on animals is necessary.