Today’s topic: (drum set please) Animal Research: Minimalist
vs. Abolitionist! I know, I know this is a very controversial topic; people
tend to be either 100% for it or completely against it, and there’s usually no
middle ground in this subject, but I think this topic will really get us talking today.
There’s actually two
degrees of opposition which are the following: Minimalist and Abolitionist. Minimalist
tends to believe that Animal experimentation can be useful up to certain extent
and under specific regulations, on the other hand we have the Abolitionist
(TUN, TUN TUN!!) I don’t know about you all but I happen to find the name
itself a bit intimidating. Any who, who are the abolitionist and what’s their
take on animal experimentation, you may wonder... Well Abolitionist are the
complete opposite of the Minimalist, they think that animals should have the
same rights as humans do, thus there should be absolutely no animal experimentation
what so ever. So… Which do you consider
yourself to be?
These two groups can be quite extreme when it comes to
getting their points across. For example it has been known that groups of
abolitionists have vandalized laboratories, and have even gone to the extent of
placing bombs under researcher’s car. Ironic don’t you think? Yeah let’s save
animal’s lives by murdering the people who conduct experiments on them.
This ad represents a reply by supporters of animal research.
Many medical advances would not have taken place, if it had
not been for animal testing. Many people think that animal testing is the base
for research, and it simply isn’t. Animal research is only used to address specific
questions that cannot be addressed any other way but through experimentation.
I, a Minimalist, personally believe that animal experimentation can be very
helpful when it comes to finding cures. Thanks to those researches conducted,
vaccines for smallpox, polio, etc. have been found. And yes I totally understand
and agree on how it may not be fair because animals can’t speak for themselves
and it may seem cruel, but understand that that is the only way we can address research
questions. Just imagine if an animal testing were to be banned completely, the
pace of medical research would hit a complete stop. In addition, in an attempt to
decrease animal cruelty throughout an experiment, many of the animal research today
is done under strict legal and ethical control.
