Historical Context
Testing on animals for the purpose of science is not something new. Early Greek, Arabs, and Roman scientists, such as Aristotle, would often conduct animal experiments in order to better understand anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology (Animal Testing and Medicine). A famous scientist, Galen of Pergamum, who was a Greek physician, was the first to describe the pulmonary system, and also speculated on the brain and spinal cord function. Another physician, Arab Ibn Zuhr, would test surgical procedures on animals before testing on humans. Around this time, the 1514-1564, scientists would often conduct experiments as public demonstrations. They would usually cut open a live dog, and would locate each organ (Animal Testing: A Long, Unpretty History).
Later, in the 1920s, medical testing on animals became more well-known due to scientist experimenting cosmetics and pharmaceuticals on the animals. And so more companies started to test on animals even thought there was no law that required for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals to be tested on animals. Later on in the 1950s-1960s, there was the case of thalidomide. Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women to help reduce morning sickness, but tragically, it turned out to be toxic to the developing fetuses. The affected babies typically suffered from phocomelia, a failure of the limbs to develop. These unfortunate children were cruelly referred to as "flipper babies." Regarding the outcry of drug safety, the U.S Congress passed the Kefauver-Harris Act in October of 1962, which, among other things, made it mandatory that all drugs go through pre-clinical testing to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. The FDA has interpreted these pre-clinical standards as a call for mandatory animal testing, even though there exists other ways to test for drug safety. Because of the Kefauver-Harris Act is that other companies also started to test on animals, so that they would find out any side effects of the pharmaceuticals being tested.
Later, in the 1920s, medical testing on animals became more well-known due to scientist experimenting cosmetics and pharmaceuticals on the animals. And so more companies started to test on animals even thought there was no law that required for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals to be tested on animals. Later on in the 1950s-1960s, there was the case of thalidomide. Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women to help reduce morning sickness, but tragically, it turned out to be toxic to the developing fetuses. The affected babies typically suffered from phocomelia, a failure of the limbs to develop. These unfortunate children were cruelly referred to as "flipper babies." Regarding the outcry of drug safety, the U.S Congress passed the Kefauver-Harris Act in October of 1962, which, among other things, made it mandatory that all drugs go through pre-clinical testing to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. The FDA has interpreted these pre-clinical standards as a call for mandatory animal testing, even though there exists other ways to test for drug safety. Because of the Kefauver-Harris Act is that other companies also started to test on animals, so that they would find out any side effects of the pharmaceuticals being tested.
- "AFC - The Tragedy of Thalidomide and the Failure of Animal Testing." AFC - The Tragedy of Thalidomide and the Failure of Animal Testing. Web. 15 May 2015.
- Murnaghan, Ian. "Background and History of Animal Testing." Background and History of Animal Testing. 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 May 2015.
- Hajar, Rachel. "Animal Testing and Medicine." Heart Views : The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association. Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 May 2015.
- Murnaghan, Ian. "Background and History of Animal Testing." Background and History of Animal Testing. 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 May 2015.
- Hajar, Rachel. "Animal Testing and Medicine." Heart Views : The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association. Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 May 2015.