[Animals] When Animals Are Used in Research

[Douma]

Biology, the study of life, is complex, and deciphering it requires the use of living organisms, unfortunately. As a biologist who studies tissue development and regeneration, I still struggle with the use of animals in research. 

I also find it ironic that for us to fully understand life, we must also destroy life. This contradiction is at the center of the debate on the use of animals in research; it goes beyond developing drugs and vaccines, and it is one that we take very seriously.

Yes, there are certain biological processes that can be studied in single-cell organisms, individual cells in vitro or through computer simulations, and we can now create organoids (tissues) in culture, but we are nowhere close to developing a whole organism with all of its complexity and the interconnectedness of its systems.

Till that day, we will continue to research on animals, insects, plants, fish, bacteria, etc., in order to fully understand the biology of an organism. And let’s not forget that we also conduct experiments in humans (with the consent of the participants, of course) known as clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, biomedical devices and so on. 

It took a lawsuit to expose the senseless and deadly brain experiments that Elon Musk’s company Neuralink has subjected monkeys and other animals to. The federal government is now investigating the company.

But for every Neuralink, there are countless animal experiments that deserve, but don’t receive, the same high-profile scrutiny. The experiments often kill animals for research that has already been conducted safely in humans. And mice used in these experiments receive no protection under the federal Animal Welfare Act. Animals don’t want to be experimented on, and more human-relevant methods are better and safer for humans, too. Instead of hollow atonement for ethical sins, let’s make ethical science a reality and leave the animals alone. 

However, because those involved were all of the same race, some have argued that this brutal act therefore had nothing to do with racism in America.

On the contrary, this is an explicit example of how deeply ingrained such racism is in our history and culture. Can anyone honestly imagine five Black police officers pulling an unarmed white man from his auto and beating him to death?

While our nation has certainly made progress in understanding the role of race in our history and national consciousness, it is disturbing that at this crucial time so many national leaders, largely Republicans acting for their own political benefit, are discrediting such much-needed discussions as presented by the 1619 Project, critical race theory, and even Advanced Placement courses offering an in-depth discussion of America’s racial history and experience.

As this brutal act indicates, there is no more critical time to pursue these discussions than the present.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/opinion/letters/lab-animals-research.amp.html