Scientific Studies On Animals: Is It Ethical?
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Scientific Studies on Animals
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I originally was looking at the benefits of mint ( which is currently growing ALL over my garden ) , and I came across this research..
Studies have suggested a role for peppermint in cancer treatment. A significant anti-tumorigenic potential against several human cancer cell lines has been reported in vitro.
Yes it has clear potential benefits for the treatment of cancer- in fact if you have a dog or cat with cancer, you should likely consider adding this herb to your pet’s diet.
BUT..
It’s these studies using animals that disturbed me.
Animal studies also indicate peppermint’s effectiveness against radiation-induced testicular damage (1), benzo[a]pyrene-induced lung carcinogenicity in mice(2,3), and its preventive effects against carcinogenesis induced by tobacco products in hamsters(4).
1.Samarth RM, Samarth M. Protection against radiation-induced testicular damage in Swiss albino mice by Mentha piperita (Linn.).Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. Apr 2009;104(4):329-334.
2.Samarth RM, Panwar M, Kumar A. Modulatory effects of Mentha piperita on lung tumor incidence, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress in benzo[a]pyrene-treated Swiss albino mice.Environ Mol Mutagen. Apr 2006;47(3):192-198.
3.Samarth RM, Panwar M, Kumar M, Kumar A. Radioprotective influence of Mentha piperita (Linn) against gamma irradiation in mice: Antioxidant and radical scavenging activity.Int J Radiat Biol. May 2006;82(5):331-337.
4.Samman MA, Bowen ID, Taiba K, Antonius J, Hannan MA. Mint prevents shamma-induced carcinogenesis in hamster cheek pouch.Carcinogenesis. Oct 1998;19(10):1795-1801.
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Inducing Cancer in Animals
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So the researchers gave mice and hamsters cancer using toxic chemicals, radiation and nicotine..
Seems somewhat unethical to me.
Then published this likely little used research- here in 2013 you are not seeing your oncologist prescribing mint tea/oil for cancer.
In fact IF this is happening, it’s more likely suggested by a Alternative practitioner, who is not referencing these studies.
I just feel that the majority of research done on animals is unnecessary – did they really have to give cancer to hamsters with nicotine?
In my experience, most if this research is NOT applicable- it’s there to help some professor keep publishing and keep his/her tenure.
The body system of a mouse/hamster is very different from ours..
So IF this is not being applied, then WHY did these studies have to be done?
Why did these animals need to be given cancer in the first place?
In my opinion it’s just another example of what is wrong with ‘conventional’ health care, and WHY it needs to change.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
P.S. The more I think about it, the angrier I get- it makes me want to induce cancer in one of those researchers with radiation or nicotine.
Obviously my personal emotions should not be construed as advice, but I’d love to hear your thoughts..
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I had a vet./animal advocate suggested these ‘cures’ be tried an animals who already had the disease–usually those being taken to a vet for treatment. As opposed to creating the disease and testing it on the now lab animals….Same thing for creating special diets–instead of creating a disease state in an ‘experimental’ animal so a new special diet food might be tested, why not ask clients if they would be willing to try an experimental food designed to work for their sick pet?
I couldn’t agree more. Whenever possible, it makes far more sense to study treatments in animals that naturally have the condition—with informed owner consent—rather than creating disease in healthy animals.
We need research that is both ethical and useful. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful perspective and for speaking up for the animals.
I would definitely love to see all the same tests done to the scientist that they inflict on helpless animals. It is absolutely ridiculous to think that research done on animals could compare to human results – it’s more than absurd. It’s completely STUPID!!! Like the military breaking the legs of lambs to teach the repairing of broken limbs on humans. The differences are staggering and it’s just plain sadistic!
My thoughts are – AN EYE FOR AN EYE! Any one who hurts another living being should be hurt in the same manner. Bet that would make ’em stop!
Thank you for sharing your feelings. I think we can all agree that reducing animal suffering should be a priority.
My hope is that research continues to move toward more ethical methods—using alternatives whenever possible and ensuring studies are truly necessary. Every step we take toward better science and better animal welfare is a step in the right direction.
I am more upset over cancer and the loss it has caused so many than I am over a few mice.
There has been so many cures and ways to help because of these animals and our ability to use them for testing…sometimes it takes a flat tire to avoid an accident. I love my pets to bits but if I knew I could save someones child by allowing testing on them I would do it in a heartbeat.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. Cancer has affected so many families and beloved pets, and I completely understand why this is such an emotional topic.
My hope is that we continue to advance medical research while also investing in methods that reduce the need for animal testing whenever possible. Finding treatments and protecting animal welfare don’t have to be opposing goals—we should always strive for both.
Dear Dr Andrew
I am very surprised, and delighted, to hear anyone in the medical profession (be it for humans or animals) say that he is angered by experiments on animals. I had been under the impression that it was vital to the treatment of anything at all that small, defenseless creatures be tortured. I first started questioning the ethics of vivisection when I read about Thalidomide, which had worked perfectly well on animals but caused so many deformities in humans.
I am very much opposed to animal cruelty of any kind, and in my mind there is no justification for experiments on animals, whether it be for household products, make-up, or medicines. I once read an article that put it very well: if it’s ok to experiment on animals because they’re not ‘like us’, then what’s the point of the experiments as the reactions will also be different. And if they are similar enough to us for the experiments to count, then it’s tantamount to experimenting on humans who don’t have the strength to stand up for themselves.
You might be interested in the Dr Hadwen Trust, who develop alternatives to vivisection using computer programmes and cultivations.
all the best
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful perspective.
Animal welfare is an important conversation, and I agree that we should always strive for research methods that are as ethical and humane as possible. Advances in technology are creating more alternatives, and I hope we continue moving toward approaches that can help both humans and animals while reducing unnecessary suffering.
Thank you for caring so deeply about this important issue.
I do not trust conventional medicine and pray to God I don’t have to suffer any disease where I would be dependent on their medication being poisoned with chemicals and dealing with side effects. The whole Conventional business is just business. It sucks money of the people (the more you are sick, the more money they cash out of you) and live. There is no honesty and willigness to really help the effected, just greed prevail. Nowadayz it is REALLY difficult to find a doctor who has the understanding of the body and cure, many are just pills prescribers to get their share rom insurance companies. I personally avoid taking antibiotics or medicine with many possible side effects. i don’t see any reason to harm my body more. God gave us natural medicine in herbs and even food that we eat. We should alwayz choose the best for us. The best is to prevent any disease by choosing food free of chemicals, excercize and outdoor sports, rely on God, not taking too much stress that can destroy us. lastly and not less important is the issue of animal testing. I detest it and if there is something that would make me amongst happy people, would be a day in which I would hear that the animal testing STOPPED.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your passion for natural health and animal welfare.
I believe prevention, good nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle are important parts of supporting overall health—for both people and pets. At the same time, every situation is unique, and working with a trusted healthcare professional when needed can be an important part of making the best choices.
The conversation around animal research is also an important one. Finding better, more humane ways to advance medicine while reducing unnecessary animal suffering is something many people care deeply about.
Thank you for caring so much about the well-being of animals and your own health.
I am a strict antivivisectionist.
In my personal opinion testing on animals can never be justified, it is so cruel and the treatment so horrifying. If tests need to be done, test on humans for goodness sake. I will never donate to any research charity for this reason. My first cat back in 1972 was i am sure stolen for vivisection at the local university, and what may have happened to her fills me with horror and anger which after all these years has not lessened.
Keep up the good work, animals deserve the best that we can give them.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience and your deep concern for animal welfare.
It’s clear how much you care about animals, and I think many of us can agree that protecting animals from unnecessary suffering is incredibly important. My hope is that science continues moving toward more humane approaches and better alternatives whenever possible.
Thank you for speaking up for the animals and for being part of this important conversation.
They need to stop using animals for testing it isn’t ethical in any way, shape or form. There are many ways to test drugs and other treatments without using animals. People need to learn to not make something else suffer for their personal benefits.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Animal welfare is an important issue, and I think we can all agree that reducing unnecessary suffering should always be a priority. As science advances, I hope we continue developing and using more humane alternatives whenever possible.
Thank you for caring so deeply about the well-being of animals.
The answer is a resounding NO! I can’t believe that in 2013 humans are still using animal experimentation for so-called “science”, to “help” humans. Arrrrgh!
Thank you for sharing your passion for animal welfare.
It’s clear you care deeply about reducing animal suffering. This is an important conversation, and I hope we continue to see progress toward research methods that are more ethical, effective, and humane while still helping improve health outcomes for both people and animals.
Many of these institutions that perform animal experimentation are getting grants from the federal government.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Funding and ethics in research are important topics that deserve careful discussion. My hope is that all research, regardless of where the funding comes from—is held to high standards of necessity, transparency, and animal welfare.
As science continues to evolve, I believe we should keep looking for ways to improve research methods and reduce unnecessary animal suffering.
[sorry, slip of a finger before I finished comment] Many of these institutions, such as universities, that perfomre animal experimentaion are getting grants from the federal government to prove many of these medical thesis.
Thank you for adding your thoughts.
Research funding and how studies are conducted are important topics that deserve careful consideration. Many scientific studies are funded through a variety of sources, including government grants, and it’s important that research is carried out with strong ethical oversight and clear goals.
I believe we should continue pushing for science that is both effective and compassionate, while exploring alternatives that can reduce the need for animal testing whenever possible.
The big problem with this type of research is that these animals do not ordinarily suffer from cancer. If you have to induce a disease in a subject then the experiment is not objective and any conclusion is not scientifically valid which makes the research pointless.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
You raise an important point about how research models can influence results. Induced disease models can sometimes help researchers study specific biological processes, but they also have limitations because they may not fully represent how a disease naturally develops.
Good science requires careful evaluation of how closely a model reflects real-life conditions, and continued efforts to develop research methods that are both effective and ethical.
I agree with all the responders who abhor animal testing of any kind, for any reason. It is unnecessary, unethical and inhumane as well as just plain stupid!
Those whom commented that grants are awarded for such things are correct – it’s not about a cure, it’s about money and to keep it flowing from various organizations – one must dream up another test on an animal. Horrifying – the stuff of nightmares. It must stop!
Holistic meds are more than adequate for most illnesses, even cancers. The use of vitamin C therapy is well documented and it works – but it’s unavailable to most people who need it because of $$ and the power of the pharmaceutical industry to suppress anything that is natural which works!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Animal welfare is an important conversation, and I agree we should always strive for more ethical, humane ways to advance health and reduce unnecessary suffering.
Thanks for caring so deeply about animals.
Testing on our fellow animals is never ethical. There are humans, including myself, that would gladly undergo tests so our fellow beings would not have to. Cowardly scientists, pharmaceutical employees and owners should be the only test subjects.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s clear you care deeply about protecting animals from suffering.
I believe we should continue moving toward more humane research methods and alternatives that can advance health while respecting animal welfare. Thank you for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Absolutely, I agree there should be NO ANIMAL TESTING! Horrible and so sad to hear it is still being done.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Animal welfare is such an important conversation.
Many people share the hope that science continues to develop more humane alternatives and reduces the need for animal testing wherever possible. Thank you for caring about the well-being of animals.
The ends never justify the means – this is a basic moral precept that humans have conveniently ignored to rationalize animal testing. I disagree with the one posted comment that animal testing has resulted in cures that we use. These cures could have resulted without animal testing. Humans possess the capacity to creatively construct solutions without torture or violating the moral codes of God.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
It’s clear you care deeply about animal welfare and the ethical questions surrounding research. I think it’s important that we continue looking for ways to advance medicine while also reducing suffering and developing more humane alternatives.
Thank you for being part of this important conversation.
PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP TESTING ON DEFENSELESS ANIMALS! What can we do to put an end to this and other inhumane treatment of God’s beautiful creatures? It is not ethical and frankly makes me wonder who these people are and how they can get up in the morning and face these creatures knowing what they are about to do to them. There isn’t enough money in the world to pay me to do what they do. Come on we are human beings and we should be able to experiment in other ways to find cures. What about testing on people who are terminal. Many of them would gladly try anything to cure themselves. I agree with you Dr. Jones. You are one of the good guys and please do not ever change.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt thoughts.
It’s clear how deeply you care about animals and their well-being. I believe we should continue working toward research methods that are more humane, ethical, and effective, while reducing unnecessary animal suffering whenever possible.
Thank you for speaking up for animals and for being part of this important conversation.
I believe my thoughts are inline with yours
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and support.
I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to think deeply about animal welfare and how we can continue improving the way we care for animals.
Thank you for being part of this conversation and for caring so much about our furry friends.