Take a look at some cosmetics and household cleaning products. Upon careful observation, you’ll find a symbol indicating whether the product has undergone animal testing. Animal testing involves procedures conducted on living animals for research into basic biology and diseases. During this process, animals endure unbearable pain and often meet an unfortunate death at the end of each experiment. In other words, it is a pointless and inhumane form of research, especially with other methods now available to test products. Animal testing is an unnecessary method and should be banned.

Scientists use animal testing to find cures, but these experiments often fail to predict human responses accurately. Procon.org reports that “94% of drugs passing animal tests fail in human trials.” For example, drugs like Vioxx and Thalidomide were considered safe for animals but proved hazardous for humans. Conversely, some chemicals ineffective in animals, like aspirin and tacrolimus, benefit humans. Others might say alternative methods of testing do not simulate humans in the same way but this is inaccurate. They can use animal-free methods such as advanced tests with human cells and tissues, computer modeling, and studies with human volunteers. These alternatives are more efficient and avoid challenges caused by species differences.

Animal testing is without a doubt, cruel and torturous. Countless animals are tortured by shocking, poisoning, burning, killing, and more which cause physical pain and psychological distress to the animals in captivity. Unfortunately, these atrocious acts are justified even when these acts are evil and inhumane. AWA (Animal Welfare Act) claims that they protect animals and care for them, but only five percent of animals are protected by US law. The law does not apply to rats, mice, fish, and birds, the animals used most in research tests.

In conclusion, animal testing is both pointless and cruel and needs to be banned.