Animals
Essay title: Animals
Cruelty of Animal Testing
Rabbits immobilized in wooden stocks with ulcers in their eyes; baby seals being clubbed over the head, and the infamous shock treatment. Broach the subject with an individual and odds are that they have witnessed footage of one or all of the aforementioned practices and are appalled by the cruelty. Appalled yes, willing to stand up and voice their thoughts not often. There is one significant reason for this unwillingness by some to stand up for the rights of our fellow inhabitants of this planet, personal convenience. We are systematically cutting down the last forest that provides their shelter to farm cattle; we dump toxic chemicals and sewage into the waters in which they live; we wear the tusks of the last few of their species on our arms, and we pour cosmetic products into their eyes, rectums or vaginas to determine the harmful effects they might cause
on humans, even though the physiological differentiation between
humans and the animals they use is durastic. On a daily basis most
people do not see their own degree of unintentional support towards
this global dilemma, but when compiled on paper one must question how
mankind can, with conscience, commit these acts which shame us as
human beings. Animals possess the same kinds of feelings and emotions
as human beings, and without anesthesia, they are subjected to the
pain as well. Mankind often fails to give animals the respect and
rights they deserve, they are treated as lifeless, unfeeling
scientific specimens and items that we may manipulate at our own
convenience and for vanitys sake.
Laboratory research involving animals is cruel and merciless
treatment of helpless creatures. No law requires that cosmetics and
household products be tested on animals. Nevertheless, by six oclock
this evening, hundreds of animals will have had their eyes, skin or
gastrointestinal systems unnecessarily burned or destroyed (Sequoia,
27). Two of the most famous animal tests are the Draize, or eye
irritancy test and the LD50, Lethal Dose 50. The Draize test is
performed almost exclusively on albino rabbits, such as the Florida
White, because they are cheap, docile, and are not “equipped” with
tear ducts to wash away the chemicals. During the test the rabbits are
immobilized in a stock with only their head protruding and a solid or
liquid is placed in the lower lid of one eye of the rabbit; substances
vary from mascara to aftershave and even oven cleaner. The rabbits
eyes are clipped open and observed at intervals of 1, 24, 48, 72 and
168 hours. It is important to note that, during this test, anesthesia
is rarely used. Reactions include inflammation, ulceration, rupture of
the eyeball, corrosion and bleeding. Some of these studies continue
for weeks, and all the while no measures are made to reduce suffering
or treat the rabbits.
Survival, however, will only lead to an entirely new set of
tests, such as the skin irritancy or the LD50. Lethal Dose 50 refers
to the lethal dose that is required to kill 50% of all animals in a
test group of 40-200. Animals are force fed substances through a
stomach tube, forced to inhale a substance, or have the substance
applied to their rectum or vagina. These tests continue until half of
the test animals die. During these tests animals will often endure
excruciating pain, convulsions, loss of motor function, seizures,
vomiting, paralysis and bleeding from every