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Many people have questions about animal testing ethics and the animal testing debate. We take our responsibility for the ethical treatment of animals in medical research very seriously. At Stanford, we emphasize that the humane care of laboratory animals is essential, both ethically and scientifically. Poor animal care is not good science. If animals are not well-treated, the science and knowledge they produce is not trustworthy and cannot be replicated, an important hallmark of the scientific method.

There are several reasons why the use of animals is critical for biomedical research:

** Animals are biologically very similar to humans. In fact, mice share more than 98% DNA with us!

** Animals are susceptible to many of the same health problems as humans - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

** With a shorter life cycle than humans, animal models can be studied throughout their whole life span and across several generations, a critical element in understanding how a disease processes and how it interacts with a whole, living biological system.

The ethics of animal experimentation

Nothing so far has been discovered that can be a substitute for the complex functions of a living, breathing, whole-organ system with pulmonary and circulatory structures like those in humans. Until such a discovery, animals must continue to play a critical role in helping researchers test potential new drugs and medical treatments for effectiveness and safety, and in identifying any undesired or dangerous side effects, such as infertility, birth defects, liver damage, toxicity, or cancer-causing potential.

U.S. federal laws require that non-human animal research occur to show the safety and efficacy of new treatments before any human research will be allowed to be conducted. Not only do we humans benefit from this research and testing, but hundreds of drugs and treatments developed for human use are now routinely used in veterinary clinics as well, helping animals live longer, healthier lives.

It is important to stress that 95% of all animals necessary for biomedical research in the United States are rodents - rats and mice especially bred for laboratory use - and that animals are only one part of the larger process of biomedical research.

Stanford researchers are obligated to ensure the well-being of animals in their care, in strict adherence to the highest standards, and in accordance with federal and state laws, regulatory guidelines, and humane principles. They are also obligated to continuously update their animal-care practices based on the newest information and findings in the fields of laboratory animal care and husbandry.

Researchers requesting use of animal models at Stanford must have their research proposals reviewed by a federally mandated committee that includes two independent community members. It is only with this committee's approval that research can begin. We at Stanford are dedicated to refining, reducing, and replacing animals in research whenever possible, and to using alternative methods (cell and tissue cultures, computer simulations, etc.) instead of or before animal studies are ever conducted.

Organizations and Resources

There are many outreach and advocacy organizations in the field of biomedical research.

Stanford Discoveries

What are the benefits of using animals in research? Stanford researchers have made many important human and animal life-saving discoveries through their work.

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Many people have questions about animal testing ethics and the animal testing debate. At Stanford, we emphasize that the humane care of laboratory animals is essential, both ethically and scientifically. Poor animal care is not good science.

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Animals are used in many different kinds of experiments. These are just a few examples and alternatives to using animals in experiments.

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Summary By: Rebekah Corbett | Original Study By: Groff, K., Bachli, E., Lansdowne, M., & Capaldo, T. (2014) | Published: September 16, 2019

Globally, up to 126.9 million non-human vertebrate animals are bred, used, and disposed of in the drug, medical, chemical, cosmetic, and household product industries. As in the farmed animal industry, this mass use of animals as resources raises serious environmental impact concerns.

Companies in the U.S - the country that uses the most animals in research and testing in the world - are not required to report the total number of research animals used to the USDA. This makes environmental analysis difficult, but it is still clear that a huge number of animals are used and disposed of in the research industry. The few specific studies on the environmental impact of animal research indicate that the use and disposal of animals contributes to pollution, as well as harming biodiversity and public health.

The researchers of this study set out to examine existing evidence of the environmental impact of animal research, paying particular attention to: Resources used in animal research; waste production in laboratories; sources of pollution; impacts on laboratory workers' health; biodiversity impacts.
Resources Used in Animal Research
To get an idea of the scale of animal use, the researchers examined their use in toxicity testing, which demonstrates the safety and efficacy of drugs and chemicals. Toxicity tests are most commonly conducted on rats, mice, rabbits, and dogs. A standard series of toxicity tests can use between 6,000 and 12,000 animals and may take years to complete.

Another resource used in animal research is energy. The quantity of energy consumed by research animal facilities is up to ten times greater than offices on a square meter basis. Animal research facilities have very specific, energy-intensive needs, including total fresh air exchanges for ventilation, environmental and space needs of the animals, barrier protection from outside pathogens, lighting, and power-intensive equipment.

A wide range of chemicals are also used throughout animal research and testing, for sanitation, disinfection, sterilization, and animal care. Toxic substances such as irritants, corrosive substances, asphyxiants, neurotoxins, and carcinogens are frequently used for extended time periods and in large quantities.
Waste Production in Laboratories
Millions of animal bodies - as well as supplies such as bedding, caging, needles, and syringes - are disposed of each year. The routine disposal of hazardous waste also produces harmful substances and air pollutants. The most prominent chemically and biologically hazardous waste produced are animal carcasses and tissues that contain toxic chemicals. Toxic carcasses and tissues are most often incinerated, with many animal research facilities maintaining their own incinerators on-site.
Sources of Pollution
Air pollution is produced by the emission of gases resulting from the incineration of animal carcasses and laboratory supplies, many of which contain toxins. The fuel consumption required to maintain the necessary temperatures of such incinerators has led environmental groups to conclude that incineration is not environmentally sound. Although the researchers were unable to calculate what percentage of incinerated waste came from animal research versus other industries, it is still important to address the fact that animal research plays a part in the negative environmental effects of incineration. Incineration is also extremely harmful to human health, causing chronic illness and developmental delays in nearby populations.

In addition, soil contamination and runoff of animal waste can result in ground water contamination, exacerbating the problem of drugs in public water supplies and contaminating public drinking water.
Impacts on Laboratory Workers' Health
Due to intense air filtration pressures on animal research facilities, allergic reactions and asthma remain major occupational health risks for laboratory workers. Between 11% to 44% of laboratory workers in the U.S. experience allergic reactions to laboratory animals and between 4% to 22% suffer from occupational asthma. Exposure to laboratory animal allergens can be eliminated by reducing animal research and testing with in vitro alternatives.

The inhalation of waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) has also been associated with long-term physical and mental ill health, including headaches, depression, and neurological and reproductive dysfunction. Laboratory acquired infections (LAI) occur through direct or indirect contact with the animals or their waste, equipment, and supplies. Macaques, pigs, dogs, rabbits, mice, and rats present the strongest risk for the transmission of zoonotic disease. Animal researchers have previously been infected with respiratory disease, herpes B, and ringworm.
Biodiversity Impacts
In an era of unprecedented threats to biodiversity, we are losing species at a rate 50 to 500 times higher than natural background rates found in fossil records. Conservation groups have noted that the long-tailed macaque population - the most commonly used monkey in laboratories - is rapidly declining in the wild. Monkeys are often caught in the wild using false permits and are then bred in captivity for use in animal research. The trade in monkeys for research also raises concerns about the growth and spread of animal disease and dangerous pathogens. There are also issues regarding the potential for genetically modified animals to escape and interbreed with, or out-compete wild populations. This would have a disruptive effect on the local environment and indigenous populations.

In general, records and research on the environmental impact of animal testing are extremely limited. To help combat this, the researchers suggest that rats, mice, and birds must be covered under the Animal Welfare Act to begin recording the scope of animal use.

It is true that the farmed animal industry has a larger contribution to the negative environmental impacts discussed above. However, the environmental impact of the animal research industry has serious negative consequences and cannot be ignored, especially in light of the availability of alternative testing methods. Non-animal methods spare large numbers of animals from pain and distress, and are often less expensive and time-consuming to perform. Non-animal research also promises faster delivery of test results with greater applicability to humans. The research industry, government agencies and other stakeholders must give proper weight to the environmental impacts of animal research when making decisions and considering alternatives to animal research.

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Animal Research: An Environmental Perspective - Faunalytics

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A review of evidence uncovers significant - and often overlooked - negative environmental impacts of animal research.

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Animal experiments are time-consuming and expensive. Animal experiments don't accurately mimic how the human body and human diseases respond to drugs, chemicals or treatments. Animals are very different from humans and, therefore, react differently.

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Reliance On Animal Experimentation Can Impede and Delay Discovery. Drugs and procedures that could be effective in humans may never be developed because they fail in animal studies. It is difficult to know how frequently this occurs, since drugs that fail in animals are rarely tested in humans.

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A model essay for students to use as a resource to help organize essays.

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A model essay for students to use as a resource to help organize essays.

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animals' rights are violated when used in research because they are not given a choice. Animals are subjected to tests that are often painful or cause permanent damage or death, and they are never given the option of not participating in the experiment.

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The animal rights movement strives to make the public aware of the fact that animals are sensitive, emotional, and intelligent beings who deserve dignity and respect. But first, it's important to understand what the term "animal rights" really means.

What are animal rights?

Animal rights are moral principles grounded in the belief that non-human animals deserve the ability to live as they wish, without being subjected to the desires of human beings. At the core of animal rights is autonomy, which is another way of saying choice. In many countries, human rights are enshrined to protect certain freedoms, such as the right to expression, freedom from torture, and access to democracy. Of course, these choices are constrained depending on social locations like race, class, and gender, but generally speaking, human rights safeguard the basic tenets of what makes human lives worth living. Animal rights aim to do something similar, only for non-human animals.

Animal rights come into direct opposition with animal exploitation, which includes animals used by humans for a variety of reasons, be it for food, as experimental objects, or even pets. Animal rights can also be violated when it comes to human destruction of animal habitats. This negatively impacts the ability of animals to lead full lives of their choosing.

Do animals have rights?

Very few countries have enshrined animal rights into law. However, the US and the UK do have some basic protections and guidelines for how animals can be treated.

The UK Sentience Bill

In 2021, the United Kingdom's House of Commons introduced the Animal Sentience Bill. If passed, this bill would enshrine into law that animals are, in fact, sentient beings, and they deserve humane treatment at the hands of humans. While this law would not afford animals full autonomy, it would be a watershed in the movement to protect animals-officially recognizing their capacity to feel and to suffer, and distinguishing them from inanimate objects.

The US Animal Welfare Act

In 1966, the United States passed the Animal Welfare Act. While it is the biggest federal legislation addressing the treatment of animals to date, its scope is fairly narrow-the law excludes many species, including farmed animals, from its protections. The law does establish some basic guidelines for the sale, transport, and handling of dogs, cats, rabbits, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, and hamsters. It also protects the psychological welfare of animals who are used in lab experiments, and prohibits the violent practices of dogfighting and cockfighting. Again, this law does not recognize the rights and autonomy of animals-or even their ability to feel pain and suffer-but it does afford non-human animals some basic welfare protections.

What are some examples of animal rights?

While few laws currently exist in the UK or US that recognize or protect animals' rights to enjoy lives free from human interference, the following is a list of examples of animal rights that could one day be enacted:

Animals may not be used for food.

Animals may not be hunted.

The habitats of animals must be protected to allow them to live according to their choosing.

Animals may not be bred.

What's the difference between animal welfare and animal rights?

Animal rights philosophy is based on the idea that animals should not be used by people for any reason, and that animal rights should protect their interests the way human rights protect people. Animal welfare, on the other hand, is a set of practices designed to govern the treatment of animals who are being dominated by humans, whether for food, research, or entertainment.

Do animals need rights? Pros and cons

The idea of giving animals rights tends to be contentious, given how embedded animal products are within societies such as the United States. Some people, including animal activists, believe in an all-or-nothing approach, where animal rights must be legally enshrined and animals totally liberated from all exploitation. On the other end of the spectrum are people whose livelihoods depend upon animal-based industries. Below are some arguments both in favor of and opposing animal rights.

Arguments in favor of animal rights

Should the rights of animals be recognized, animal exploitative industries would disappear, as would the host of environmental problems they cause, including water pollution, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation.

Halting the widespread use of animals would also eliminate the systematic cruelty and denial of choice that animal industries perpetuate. The physical and psychological pain endured by animals in places like factory farms has reached a point many consider to be unacceptable, to say the least. Animals are mutilated by humans in several different ways, including castrations, dehorning, and cutting off various body parts, usually without the use of anesthetic.

Many species never see the outdoors except on their way to the slaughterhouse.

As their name suggests, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) pack vast numbers of animals in cramped conditions, often forcing animals to perpetually stand in their own waste. Many species-including chickens, cows, and pigs-never see the outdoors except on their way to the slaughterhouse. Recognizing animal rights would necessitate stopping this mistreatment for good.

Arguments against animal rights

Most arguments against animal rights can be traced back to money, because animal exploitation is big business. Factory farming for animal products is a multi-billion-dollar industry. JBS, the world's largest meatpacker, posted $9 billion in revenue for the third quarter of 2020 alone.

A lesser-known, yet also massive, industry is that which supplies animals for laboratories. The US market for lab rats (who are far less popular than mice for experiments) was valued at over $412 million in 2016. Big industrial producers of animals and animal products have enough political clout to influence legislation-including passing laws making it illegal to document farm conditions-and to benefit from government subsidies.

Many people depend upon animal exploitation for work. On factory farms, relatively small numbers of people can manage vast herds or flocks of animals, thanks to mechanization and other industrial farming techniques. Unfortunately, jobs in industrial meatpacking facilities are also known to be some of the most dangerous in the US. Smaller farmers coming from multi-generational farming families more directly depend upon using animals to make a living and tend to follow welfare standards more judiciously. However, smaller farms have been decreasing in number, due to the proliferation of factory farms against which they often cannot compete.

Although people may lose money or jobs in the transition to animal alternatives, new jobs can be created in the alternative protein sector and other plant-based industries.

When did the animal rights movement begin in the US?

The modern day animal rights movement in the United States includes thousands of individuals and a multitude of groups who advocate for animals in a variety of ways-from lobbying legislators to support animal rights laws, to rescuing animals from situations of abuse and neglect. While individuals throughout history have believed in and fought for animal rights, we can trace back the modern, US-based animal rights movement to the founding of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in 1866. The group's founder, Henry Burgh, believed that animals are "entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law." The organization worked with the New York City government to pass and enforce anti-cruelty laws that prevented the abuse of carthorses and provided care for injured horses. Since then, the ASPCA has expanded its advocacy across different non-human animal species-including farmed animals-and many more animal protection groups have sprung up, both locally and nationwide. Currently, there are over 40,000 non-profit organizations identified as animal groups in the US.

Why are animal rights important?

Animal rights are important because they represent a set of beliefs that counteract inaccurate yet long-held assumptions that animals are nothing more than mindless machines-beliefs popularized by western philosopher Rene Descartes in the 17th century. The perception of animals as being unthinking, unfeeling beings justified using them for human desires, resulting in today's world where farmed mammals outnumber those in the wild, and the majority of these farmed animals are forced to endure harsh conditions on factory farms.

Farmed mammals outnumber those in the wild.

But the science is increasingly clear: The animals we eat ( pigs, chickens, cows), the animals we use in laboratories ( mice and rats), the animals who provide us with clothing, and those whose backs we ride upon have all been found to possess more cognitive complexity, emotions, and overall sophistication than has long been believed. This sophistication renders animals more susceptible not only to physical pain but also to the psychological impacts caused by the habitual denial of choice. Awareness of their own subjugation forms sufficient reasoning to rethink the ways animals are treated in western societies.

The consequences of animal rights

Currently, laws in the US and UK are geared toward shielding animals from cruelty, not giving them the same freedom of choice that humans have. (Even these laws are sorely lacking, as they fail to protect livestock and laboratory animals.) However, the animal rights movement can still have real-world consequences. Calls for animal liberation from places like factory farms can raise public awareness of the poor living conditions and welfare violations these facilities perpetuate, sometimes resulting in stronger protections, higher welfare standards, and decreasing consumer demand. Each of these outcomes carries economic consequences for producers, as typically it is more expensive for factory farms to provide better living conditions such as more space, or using fewer growth hormones which can result in lower production yields.

Of course, should the animal rights movement achieve its goals, society would look much different than it does today. If people consume more alternative sources of protein, such as plant-based or lab-grown meat, the global environment would be far less impacted. Clothing would be made without leather or other animal products; alternative sources, such as pineapple leather created from waste products from the pineapple industry, could replace toxic tanneries. The fur industry is being increasingly shunned, with fashion labels rejecting fur in favor of faux materials. Ocean ecosystems would be able to recover, replenishing fish populations and seafloor habitats. Today these are razed by bottom trawling fishing, resulting in the clear-cutting of corals that can be thousands of years old.

How you can advocate for animals

A world in which animals are free from human exploitation still seems far off, but we can make choices that create a kinder world for animals, every day. We can start by leaving animals off our plate in favor of plant-based alternatives-a choice that recognizes animals as the sentient beings that they are, and not products for consumption.

When we come together, we can also fight for better protections for animals in the US and around the world. There's a robust movement to hold corporations accountability and end the cruelty of factory farming-an industry which causes immense amount of suffering for billions of animals. If you want to help end this suffering and spread compassion for animals, join our community of online animal activists and take action.

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Animal Rights: Definition, Issues, and Examples

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Animal rights advocates believe that non-human animals should be free to live as they wish, without being used, exploited, or otherwise interfered with by humans.

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Animals are used extensively to test the safety and efficacy of compounds produced by the chemical, cosmetic, and drug industries.

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Advanced computer simulation can model biological systems and predict how substances will interact with living organisms. This approach can reduce the reliance on animal testing by providing insights based on existing data.

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our computer modelling approach can predict arrhythmias with around 90% accuracy, compared to 75% for the animal-based tests.

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The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

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Computer Simulations Reducing Animal Testing - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

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Institute’s scientists are developing new computer models to predict the cardiac safety of new drugs more accurately and more ethically than testing on animals.

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If human organ chips are found to be superior, then in addition to reducing animal testing, they may be used to develop or select therapeutics that are personalized for individual patients, distinct genetic subpopulations or even subgroups with particular disease comorbidities, which could revolutionize clinical trials design.

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Human organs-on-chips for disease modelling, drug development and personalized medicine

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The failure of animal models to predict therapeutic responses in humans is a major problem that also brings into question their use for basic research. Organ-on-a-chip (organ chip) microfluidic devices lined with living cells cultured under fluid…

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This involves using cell cultures or tissue samples to study biological processes and test the effects of drugs or chemicals.

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Paul Burridge, assistant professor of pharmacology at Northwestern University, said that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can help answer unique questions that are otherwise inaccessible. For example, iPSCs can be used to predict which patients will experience negative effects from a drug, identify the genetic cause and pathway of the drug response, and develop drugs to modify that drug response.

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Animal experimentation is morally unthinkable because of how badly animals are treated, animals can feel, have emotions, and act just like humans, they go through depression while in confinement.