Melissa Lugo
Mrs. Kolar
Senior Seminar
26 April 2013
Animal Rights Everyone has their own opinions on animal rights. Some think animals should have the same rights as humans and some do not. Supporters of animal rights believe that animals have an ‘inherent worth”. They believe that every creature with a will to live has a right to live free from pain and suffering. They believe all animals are unique just like humans. Non-supporters believe animals aren’t as important as humans and use animals for things such as entertainment, to eat, and to wear. Most non-supporters are the ones who abuse their animals in their own homes. Animal right supporters also believe animals should not be used for testing. While using animals for testing may save a human’s life, the supporters think animals could get sick and die from the chemicals used on them. The use of research animals first became widespread in Europe in the 19th century. In 1896, when the National Institute of Health originated in the United States, it began to take an active role in encouraging proper care and use of laboratory animals. Since 1945, the National Society for Medical Research has tried to explain to the public the nature of experimental procedures on animals. During the 1980s, the incidence of vandalism, harassment, and theft in research centers using animals for testing increased greatly. Animal testing has been a controversial issue for a long time. Some think it will prevent human diseases and save lives. Others think it is just wrong and cruel. There are many organizations in the United States that oppose animal cruelty, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA is the most common organization in the United States. It works through things like public education, animal rescue, protest campaigns, and legislation. Some people believe animal testing cures ills though animal experimentation. Dr. Werner Hartinger, a surgeon in West Germany, has once said “medical science’s great advances could not have been discovered without experimenting on animals”. People usually agree about this because they rather see an animal die than a person. Animal right supporters say product testers do not want people to see the animals suffer and die. Each animal has experienced pain, but they can also escape it. Inside the laboratory this is not the case. Supporters believe making ananimal suffer and possibly die from being used for testing is cruel. Because animal testing is done behind closed doors at the hands of scientists who promise cures in the future, the suffering continues. One example of animal cruelty is when a scientist, studying for head trauma strapped an animal in machinery to receive high impact blows to the head that left it with severe head damage. Another example is to examine severe burns to live tissue, pigs were restrained to prevent escaping and then burned alive until the flesh could be removed from the live animals in large pieces. Another example is to demonstrate that the eye’s protein levels are not different in sight, deprived monkeys had their eyelids sewed shut. Animal right supporters say these kinds of animal experiences are wrong and sickening. In 1998, there were 10 to 56 million cats and dogs in the States. Of those 10.1 and 16.7 million dogs and cats are put to death in pounds and shelters. Approximately 17-22 million are researched each year. There has been 40% increase in the numbers of animals killed each year. Now non- animal right supporters say animals are just a necessity to humans for survival. However, the unnecessary torture of animals through testing is not a necessity for human survival. When it comes to the torture of animals, their lives need to be taken into consideration. S. F. Sapontzis says animals are not capable of