Animal testing is an extremely controversial topic with people having most divergent views. Some people feel that animals should not be used as guinea pigs for experimentation and that all animal testing should be banned. They feel that animals need to be treated in a humane manner and animal testing is a brutal way of treating them and, hence, should be stopped immediately. The people in the other camp feel that a lot of medical breakthroughs were possible only because of tests being conducted on animals. They feel that the benefits derived for mankind far outweigh the negative impact that the people opposing animal testing claim to have on animals.
While both camps have their own valid arguments, it is very difficult to come to a solid conclusion, unless both sides have a common platform to stand on. When there is no common framework between the two of them, it would become extremely difficult to solve the issue. For instance, the question of man’s authority over the animal kingdom cannot be easily solved, as some think that man is also an animal and others consider him to be a unique creation made in the image and likeness of God, as stated in the scriptures.
Fundamental issues like these need to be resolved first if people want to have a valid answer to other issues of life, like animal testing. Without having a clear understanding of man’s rights and privileges on the earth and all the resources, we will not be able to find a solution to many of the ethical issues that confront us. Until and unless we have a common framework to base our conclusions on, we would probably continue arguing as long as we live.