Ok, I'm actually quite new to this topic, but here's my reasoning: I don't consider animals on the same level as humans. I don't think someone is foolish for thinking we are on the same level, because I believe animals should be free from a life without pain and all, but I value a human slightly more. Testing for cosmetic reasons (make up, shampoo) is just stupid. However, using animals for medical purposes (to test drugs that are essential, cures for diseases) could help many humans AND animals. I know is a kinda "for the greater good" stance, and I'm a little wary of it, but does the ends justify the means - if scientists find a new treatment for a disease or condition through animal testing, was it worth the sacrifice of a few animals lives?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

How do you feel about the median lethal dose?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What is median lethal dose?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It's the main issue I have with animal testing. It's where you give the group of animals increasingly large doses of the medicine/product until approx. half of them die. It's typically much larger than the dose that is intended for humans to take, and will have just as bad repercussions on humans as well, so I think it's kinda dumb, seeing as no one will take that much.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'd like to make the note that all the lab rats and other animals used for testing purposes are bred specifically for that purpose. And in the laboratory setting, scientists must follow a code of ethical practice. If the scientific community upholds these regulations, I see absolutely no harm in medicinal animal testing.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

How do you propose they test new cosmetics formulations?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

They're starting to replace animal testing with synthetic skin.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Which isn't yet an adequate replacement, just a step in the right direction.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It will be in the very near future. Anyways, I'm not really against cosmetic animal testing, either. It seems nonsensical, but it follows the same ethics as medicinal testing, so it's whatever. You're up early btw.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'm against it, because I see it as an "ends justifies the means" situation. What are the regulations currently in place for animal testing? Like, we don't need cosmetics, so I don't see it being worth it if it requires animals to suffer. But, with medical testing, as horrible as it sounds, if it helps to find something that could help numerous humans and animals, then it's worth it in the end.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

My stance on animal suffering is this: millions of animals die in nature every day and many of them will suffer in the process. I don't think it's unethical for animals to suffer for humans' benefit. If there are ways to effectively test cosmetics without harming animals, then I'm all for it, but nor do I have a problem with testing on animals for the time being. And yeah I was up at 4 AM this morning

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If you're going to vote my comment down, you should at least tell me why you disagree.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

You addressing me Broseph, or just a general comment?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Just a general comment! Haha. You've already explained why you disagree with me. Thank you for your non-douchebaggery.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

http://www.idausa.org/facts/costesting.html

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I completely agree!! Technology is advanced enough to create new makeup WITHOUT animals!

by Anonymous 12 years ago

To make an omelet you've gotta break some eggs. Where would we be today if nobody (animal or man) had made any sacrifices? As for the whole "animals are equal to humans", I think Maddox covers that pretty well... http://thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=bsitu_speciesism

by Anonymous 12 years ago

My main issue with animal testing is that it's not always accurate. I can't remember where I heard this, but I'm pretty sure there was a case where some eye makeup was animal tested and obviously didn't harm them, but several people who used that product went blind or had at least some vision impairment from it. It's a bit unnerving knowing that if the results of these tests are innacurate that it could have such serious repercussions.

by Anonymous 12 years ago