Animal testing; Justifiable?
Numerous animals share a percentage of DNA similarities with humans. The DNA similarities between guinea pigs and human is about 84%. So, when rats, mice, rabbits, monkeys, cats, dogs, guinea pigs etc., are all test animals, guinea pigs rate one of the most used in laboratories all over the world. In 2012, which recorded highest, about 212,699 guinea pigs were kept for experiments in a US laboratory. Disturbingly, over time, 'guinea pig' became the term or slang generally used to qualify test subjects, whatever animal being used. This begs the question; "How many 'Guinea pigs' survive these experiments?" Each year, more than 100 million animals are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing.
Importantly however, it is required to make clear what animal testing is, If indeed it is as bad as it sounds. According to sources across the web, animal testing, animal experimentation, animal research or vivo testing is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables that affect the behavior or biological system under study. In most cases, these experiments are forced on the animals. But while we discuss the means these experiments are done and we label them “unethical”, Let’s not forget to ask the question ‘why?’. While there are many reasons scientists conduct animal tests, the main and most common reason is that they are able to identify potential safety concerns in new medicines. We would agree It’s illogical to test new vaccines whose reaction is unknown on any human, for all we know it may have the potential to kill. Other reasons for animal testing are medical research, food tests, model to study diseases that affect humans and better understanding of biology.
Frankly, each animal test conducted in any laboratory around the world is for the good of mankind, so that humans thrive. To think otherwise is to let emotions cloud one’s judgment. Every 20 guinea pig that die during a vaccine test are 20 humans that could have died, and it would be for what? Undeniably, we live in a place of darwinism, survival of the fittest, this is how the world has always operated, and to think of it, you really do not care if a hundred guinea pigs die so that a cure is developed for a global pandemic. When it comes that it is our lives on the line, we care little of experimental animals, and to make sure animals are not just killed, strict laws have been made that animal tests be only conducted when there are no alternatives. Now people, let us get practical rather sentimental, animal testing cannot be banned. Not when there’s no alternative. Considerably, it is hypocritical when these arguments are raised. Daily, people go to markets, buy meats and fishes for food, or sometimes go hunting themselves. Even for vegetarians, basic biology considers both plants and animals as living things, so the moment you uproot or cut down vegetables from your garden to cook, you are taking a life out of a living organism just because you’re hungry and you have the power. We justify feeding on these organisms but when it comes to science and medicine we talk of ethics. Like I said earlier, this is how the world operates and we know it.To conclude, apologies to the 'guinea pig' community. But if all facts are checked, it is of good heart and good sense that these animals are used, and it is no different than when they are used for other purposes. While it is not justifiable to excessively and humanely abuse them, take for example; their skins for bag, it is justifiable to involve them in enhancing better human living through science, and until there is a substitute for animal testing, guinea pigs will only enjoy the honor of being a part of a greater good.
