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"Primum non nocere" (Latin) - Hippocrates. "First, do no harm."
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"Primum non nocere" (Latin) - Hippocrates. "First, do no harm."
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The Scientific Argument The fundamental problem of
animal-based research is ‘species differences’. This phrase is used as a
form of shorthand, to describe the fact that each species responds differently
to various substances; what is poisonous to one species may produce a quite
different effect in another. These differences cause problems when animal
researchers try to apply the results of animal tests to humans. Further difficulties presented
by animal testing are that:- - the distress caused to
animals purely by being in the laboratory can affect the outcome of the
experiment (due to biochemical changes); - test results have shown to
be affected by the animal’s age, diet, sex, even its bedding material; - results from the same tests,
on the same species, have been shown to vary from laboratory to laboratory. Artificial, laboratory-induced
disease is also different from natural disease, and often animal ‘models’ of
human disease are in fact an entirely different condition, so test results are
different. In recent years, in order to
try to overcome some of the problems with animal experiments, researchers have
introduced genetically modified animals. These animals are either bred with a
genetic defect, or their genes are manipulated, with a gene being ‘knocked
out’, or a foreign gene inserted (transgenic animal). Animals created with a
pre-disposition to disease have been used as ‘models’ for cystic fibrosis,
multiple sclerosis, and other diseases, despite that the disease does not affect
the animals in the same way as humans. Other animals have been given human
genes, in order to create supplies of organs for transplants. Yet these organs
are still animal organs, and the risk of infecting the human population with an
animal disease is high. from NAVS,
UK Photo: Courtesy PETA USA |
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