Ancient Method
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Animals have always been used for biomedical research. Early Greek physician scientists like Aristotle and Erasistratus used living animals in experimenting. Ibn Zuhr, an Arab physician in twelfth century, introduced animal testing as an experimental method for testing surgical procedures before applying them to human patients. And a variety of other scientists and physicians would test on animals in order to discover what now major scientific breakthroughs.
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It is undeniable to say that animals have helped in the science field with major breakthroughs, but that doesn’t mean that animals should always be used for testing. Animals have always been used, and for that same reason it will be hard to let go of that method. It is hard to, as the human race, be using animals for medical purpose, and suddenly one day stop using them, but it is not impossible.
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In recent years, the practice of using animals for biomedical research has come under severe criticism by animal protection and animal rights groups. Laws have been passed in several countries to make the practice more ‘humane.’ This has led to the 3Rs campaign, which advocates the search (1) for the replacement of animals with non-living models; (2) reduction in the use of animals; and (3) refinement of animal use practices.
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"Animal Testing - Google Search." Animal Testing - Google Search. Web. 18 May 2015.