Laboratory testing on animals is often cruel and sickening. However, despite continued animal suffering, new and more ethical alternatives are providing hope and opportunities for change.

As science continues to advance, improvements in technology are allowing otherwise risky experiments to be accomplished in easier and safer ways. One example is how computer simulations have streamlined the development of automobiles, aircraft, ships, buildings, and bridges; allowing their safety to be calculated prior to risking a human life.

Society now widely agrees and expects that no human life should be placed in immediate danger for the sake of scientific advancement. With this in mind, coupled with the technological advancements of our time, why then are we still content with allowing sentient animals to suffer the effects of laboratory testing?

Firstly, as the author, I would like to address and make clear my research based understandings of the horrors of animal testing. While I won’t go into unnecessary detail, the reality is still quite disturbing.

Animal testing in many cases is not just simply putting skin products on a dog, cat, horse, cow, or another sentient being. The testing often involves forcefully rubbing chemicals into the skin and eyes of restrained animals with no pain relief provided. Testing of some chemicals even can include force feeding rats until they die to determine the lethal dose of the chemical being tested. If the animals do not die during testing they are often killed purposefully through a variety of methods, usually asphyxiation. However, more brutal methods are also regularly used – all without consideration for the animal’s suffering.

Despite such cruelty, there is undoubtedly a need to test chemicals, products, and medical hypotheses before any conclusions for use are shared with the public. However, as previously mentioned, science and technology now are providing more ethical alternatives to animal testing.

One alternative is “organs-on-chips” which are lab grown human or animal cells used to test for reactions towards various simulated environments or chemicals. Additional options include computer models that can generate important results using already existing data or even tissue sample donations from human volunteers. There are a variety of ethical and practical alternatives to animal testing. If enough of a push is made by the public for their use, it is possible to reach the elimination of live animals in experimentation.

Animal testing is no doubt a gut wrenching topic; one that is challenging to discuss. However, progress is being made regarding the use of animals in testing and the rights they deserve.

For example, the FDA no longer requires companies to use animal testing to be approved. Also, the European Union has banned cosmetic animal testing as well as products developed using animal testing. Additionally, non-profit organizations such as Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary provide homes for animals who were once used in lab testing. Most recently, Kindness Ranch rescued four beagles once used in animal testing before being sold into the illegal Chinese meat trade.

Fortunately, I was able to witness this Los Angeles based rescue first-hand with the support of Frost Fund’s CEO, Brittnei Schaeffler. Protesting and making strategic purchasing decisions from companies who do not rely on animal testing does make an impact. Additionally, supporting rescue organizations like Kindness Ranch can increase their ability to continue such life-saving efforts.

It is my final conclusion that animal testing is a horrid and outdated practice. New developments allow for testing to be done without subjecting innocent animals to cruel tests. In order to make this change and to continue implementing more ethical methods, pressure needs to be placed on companies and colleges to change their ways. Additionally, support needs to be given to amazing organizations such as Kindness Ranch so they can continue to provide relief to victims of animal testing.

Change is happening, and as it continues, we will begin to see more animals freed from testing around the world.

Image credit: Reprocell