IntroductionAnimal testing is the use of animals for various types of experiments. It is used commonly for medical research. Researchers test new medicines and medical procedures on animals to ensure that they are safe for humans. Animal testing is also frequently used for product research. This is when researchers use animals to test new products, such as makeup or lotion, to check for potential side effects. Animal testing is a controversial issue. Let’s see what our debaters have to say about this topic.
Henry (Constructive)Animal testing should be banned. First, animals face possible danger or harm as a result of the experiments. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 92 out of every 100 drugs that pass animal tests fail in humans. This means that animal testing is pointless because animals and humans often do not yield the same results. Furthermore, animals cannot even contract the majority of human diseases. Animals and humans are different species. The results cannot be accurate.
Ashley (Constructive) Animal testing should not be banned. Due to animal testing, doctors are able to discover cures, medicines, and innovative medical procedures. Many lives have already been saved as a result of this practice. It would be too risky to immediately test new medicines and treatments on humans. Also, researchers must follow strict laws that ensure that animals are treated humanely. Furthermore, we should support animal testing because the majority of scientists in the United Kingdom support animal testing.
Henry (Rebuttal)There are many alternatives to animal testing. Doctors can do experiments using in vitro testing, which is a type of testing on samples of human cells. There are also many computer programs that can show researchers how certain medicines or treatments will affect the human body. There are even machines that simulate the human body. Researchers should use these alternative forms of testing. Animal testing causes the unnecessary suffering and harm of animals.
Ashley (Rebuttal) Chimpanzees actually share 99 percent of their DNA with humans. Even mice share more than 98 percent of their DNA with us! Humans and animals are more similar than you think. Whenever possible, researchers use the alternative forms of testing that you mentioned. However, the human body is very complex. Sometimes it is necessary to test on living subjects to get the most accurate results. Animal testing has led to cures, vaccines, and treatments of illnesses, such as cancer, polio, and asthma.
Judge’s CommentsThe winner of today’s debate is Henry. Ashley committed the logical fallacy called, “appeal to authority.” Debaters commit this fallacy when they claim that something is true because authority figures agree that it is true. Ashley said, “We should support animal testing because the majority of scientists in the United Kingdom support animal testing.” However, the opinions of authority figures alone cannot prove that something is right or wrong. Ashley should instead focus on explaining why scientists are in favor of animal testing.