Scientists/ Researchers
Compared to the abolitionists, the scientific community has a totally different view. Scientific community believes that animals used in testing and research should be allowed. A study, comparing the attitudes of scientist, animal welfarists, and laypersons for four types of animal use, showed that the scientists showed strong support for the use of animals only in medical research. In addition, a poll of 1000 biomedical scientists displayed that more than 90% of them agreed on the animal use in research.
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Scientists argue that the animals are treated humanely. They also do not want unnecessary suffering of the animals during testing, so they are only used in "ethical framework". Recently, there have been many different methods that have been considered a replacement for animal testing. Some scientists believe that these alternatives are better than using animals. However, many other scientists disagree and do not allow alternatives as replacements of animal testing but additional to animal testing. Scientists tend to believe in refinement and reduction rather than eliminating the use of animals in testing because it is currently difficult to find alternatives. Researchers emphasize that use of animals in research and testing is beneficial to humans with examples of vaccines, new medical procedures, and drug testing.
Even if an alternative is found, it is still tested on animals. Before clinical tests on humans, the new method is tested on animals to make sure it is safe to test on humans. After passing animal testing, the alternative is then tested on humans. Either way, animals are still used for testing. As of now, it is hard to get rid of animal testing completely because of the lack of information scientific community has. The scientists believe fewer animals will be needed for testing and advances in technology will reduce the number of animals used in testing and eventually eliminate the animals in testing.
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