Gulf News readers discussed whether they agree with animal testing or not. The question they were asked was: ‘Do you think it is ethical for products to be tested on animals? Do you check for animal testing before buying something?’ Readers had good discussion on the topic where most of them were against products being tested on animals. However, some felt that there was no other way to advance science as products could not be tested directly on human beings. We present a selection of views.
Equally important
It’s not ethical to test on animals. Just because they are animals, it doesn’t make them less important. Saying that I find domestic animals are treated extremely badly in Gulf countries. I think they should stop dumping their pets before talking about animal testing.
From Ms Bev Rosin
Doha, Qatar
Innocent animals
Why would someone test on innocent animals? Products should be tested on rapist and criminals, only then will they have some use of their existence in the world.
From Ms Ann Blyth Delos Santos Dionzon
Abu Dhabi
Stop it!
No it’s unethical to test products on animals and yet it happens on a wide scale. This practice must be stopped immediately.
From Ms Lana Attwood
Baku, Azerbaijan
Money making
I am against products being tested on animals, especially cosmetics. I have seen pictures of lovely white rabbits that have horrific sores and have lost all their fur because of such practices. When it comes to medical products, rats and mice are induced to have diseases like diabetes and cancer so that the effectiveness of certain drugs can be determined. This is just sad. Sometimes even dogs are packed into small crates and subjected to horrible tests. Often license is granted to products for human consumption based on animal testing, but in my opinion humans have an entirely different biochemical system. Often concerned professionals refuse to conduct tests on products that cannot be patented or the ones that cost big pharmaceuticals a lot of money.
From Ms Caroline K. Morrissey
Limerick, Ireland
Only medical testing
I am okay with animal testing only when it is for medical purposes. In all other cases I’m against it.
From Mr Hasan Forhad
Sharjah
Unethical
Animals are also living beings with a life of their own. God has given them this life and we have no right to alter it. According to Islam, God has not given anyone the right to take another life. If someone does so, they will be held accountable for it. So it is better to avoid such tests and not put ourselves in trouble in front of God.
From Mr Mubashir Bhat
New Delhi, India
Improve technology
Well I would rather test on animals before humans. It should be done humanely, but otherwise how can we advance science? It would be unethical to something directly on humans too.
From Mr Chris Reid
Ontario, Canada
Invention
This is a part of invention. It’s not animal abusing. Few days back read a news that one person made $30000,selling puppy for 13 years and he/she keeping this mummy dog in a small cage outside their house,never take her outside the cage or for a walk. My dear friend this is called animal abusing. Testing food, medicines or cosmetics on animals are clinical method. Can anybody buy a product if it is written not tested before?
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
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