Animal testing stands for using animals in different scientific experiments, mostly related to medicine, pharmaceutical and beauty industry. Some animals are purpose-bred, so from the very beginning their life is meant to finish in the laboratory, others are caught in the wild or bought from the auctions. Almost 100% of the animals, taking part in these experiments either die themselves or are euthanized.
This cruel practice goes back to the dawn of science and is still very popular with scientists of different branches. Some people think that the end justifies the means, and that it is impossible to go forward in medicine and pharmacy without animal testing, since it goes without saying, that no humans, even those sentenced to death, can be possibly involved. So we have no way out, but to follow this non-humane practice, for the sake of scientific development.
But there exists another quite large group of scientists, who are confirmed that animal testing is not necessary. Moreover, it can lead to a disaster, since the reaction of animals and humans to this or that agent is very different, sometimes even dangerously different. This difference resulted in a real tragedy that took place in the middle of 20th century, when after successful animal testing of the thalidomide, it was tried by pregnant women, which ended up by giving birth to more that 10 0000 babies with congenial physical defects, even though it worked well with animals.
Frankly speaking, I don’t know, what will be the right way out of animal testing issue. All I know is that it is cruel, sometimes it leads to the tragedy and if there is a chance to avoid it, it should be done by all means. I am not a scientist, so it is hard for me to say, if it is possible to do without it completely. At least, we should definitely find a way to respect the rights of animals and be responsible for the things we do.