We all know that sound: an animal crying out in pain, that high-pitched shriek of such an innocent creature enduring unbearable suffering. Each year, researchers torture to death millions of animals “in the name of science.” Yet, these experiments are the least scientific practice that exists. Animal testing is heartless, unnecessary, and ineffective and should be declared completely illegal in the United States.

Experimentation on animals is extremely inhumane. Every day, severely cruel testing methods are used on animals from mice to monkeys. “These animals suffer and die alone, without ever experiencing an ounce of kindness, so chemicals in products like shampoo, makeup, deodorant, toothpaste, and household cleaners can be tested,” says supermodel Layla Kayleigh in an article from Gale Group, “Poker Pro Magazine and PETA Team Up to Fight Animal Cruelty.” Researchers use repulsive tactics on the animals -- from injecting them with cancerous tumors to see how long they can survive to deliberately denying them water to use thirst as a motivation for them to complete lab tests. The tests are merciless and disgusting, and your common sense and compassion should be enough for you to want them to end.

Not only are these experiments heartless and sadistic, they also are unnecessary. Researchers could use many different scientifically accurate methods instead of animal testing. One such method is Corrositex. According to the article, “InVitro International Posts 3rd Consecutive Profitable Quarter,” it is used for “evaluating potential skin corrosivity and irritation from chemicals and chemical formulations. Corrositex is the first such non-animal test method product endorsed by a U.S. government body. The panel review suggests that Corrositex testing can fully replace the use of animals for testing corrosiveness and irritation.” Animal testing is not necessary because we have different practices that can be used instead.

Animal experimentation is not only unnecessary, but it is also ineffective. Animals are not the same as humans; they react differently to drugs than people do. Testing drugs on animals can often be catastrophic, if not deadly. The article, “Animal Testing Should Stop” by Bonnie Erbe, states, “The Food & Drug Administration tells us that 92% of drugs tested safe and effective in animals fail in human trials…. the blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx from Merck killed more Americans than died in the Vietnam War, yet it was deemed safe in eight studies using six animal species…. conversely, safe and effective drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and penicillin cause severe toxicities in animal tests.” These tests cannot be considered a scientific method if 92% of the time they are inaccurate; this practice is risking human lives as well.

However, it is unfair to say that people have not benefitted from animal experimentation. Treatments such as insulin to treat diabetes and the vaccine for polio were created because of animal testing. Animals used to be vital in science decades ago, but not any more—we have many different, safer, techniques to use instead now. Mark Twain said, “I am not interested to know whether vivisection [experimenting on living animals] produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't ... The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further." No amount of research is worth the suffering of these animals.

Animal testing is merciless, not needed, and inaccurate. No living being should have to undergo these horrors. How would you feel if your pet was subjected to these tortures? Human lives also are at risk when animals are used in testing. You can find out which brands use animal testing in their products by going to www.caringconsumer.com. Please buy only cruelty-free products.