Last year, 139,881 animals were victim of scientific animal procedures, here at the University of Edinburgh. With this high number of animal tests, the university managed to be ranked 5th amongst UK organizations for the most animal testing procedures. While this total amount of procedures is lower than the years before, it is still far too much. Mice, fish, and rats were the main actors in achieving this transcendent spot on the list. But rather than being caged up in laboratories, these animals should actually be able to enjoy their lives freely.
According to the university, most of the animals are used for the purpose of breeding genetically modified animals. These procedures can cause the animals pain or suffering and can result in a decrease of the wellbeing of the rodent or fish. Yet, one of the questions we need to ask is: why are the lives of the animals inferior to human lives? How come that it is nationally accepted that the university uses 139,881 animals in just one year for scientific purposes?
I understand that animal tests can be useful for medical breakthroughs for certain diseases. And yes, I get that it is amazing that people with Alzheimer or cancer can be helped this way. But I don’t agree that animal testing procedures are necessary to achieve these goals.
The innovation of alternative methods for animal testing procedures is going fast. The development of cell cultures and computer models are found to be a very effective substitution of animal tests, as well as human volunteering. These methods are often cheaper and more effective and besides are more humane and morally acceptable than the ones the university uses now. Furthermore, happy rodents and fish are also worth countless amounts of money.
From the university’s perspective, we shouldn’t want to be known as one of the main UK organizations which is being matched with animal testing procedures. I think this image shows the lack of empathy the university has towards animals as well as a lack of morality. This image is undesirable for a university, especially for a university that pays a lot of attention to producing a good future for all. Investing in the development of human ways of scientific research is in my opinion the key for improving the universities image. Happy animals mean happy people, and happy people mean a happy university.
Illustration by Madeline Boyd
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Edinburgh’s Top of the Food Chain – but it’s time to stop testing on animals
Last year, 139,881 animals were victim of scientific animal procedures, here at the University of Edinburgh. With this high number of animal tests, the university managed to be ranked 5th amongst UK organizations for the most animal testing procedures. While this total amount of procedures is lower than the years before, it is still far too much. Mice, fish, and rats were the main actors in achieving this transcendent spot on the list. But rather than being caged up in laboratories, these animals should actually be able to enjoy their lives freely.
According to the university, most of the animals are used for the purpose of breeding genetically modified animals. These procedures can cause the animals pain or suffering and can result in a decrease of the wellbeing of the rodent or fish. Yet, one of the questions we need to ask is: why are the lives of the animals inferior to human lives? How come that it is nationally accepted that the university uses 139,881 animals in just one year for scientific purposes?
I understand that animal tests can be useful for medical breakthroughs for certain diseases. And yes, I get that it is amazing that people with Alzheimer or cancer can be helped this way. But I don’t agree that animal testing procedures are necessary to achieve these goals.
The innovation of alternative methods for animal testing procedures is going fast. The development of cell cultures and computer models are found to be a very effective substitution of animal tests, as well as human volunteering. These methods are often cheaper and more effective and besides are more humane and morally acceptable than the ones the university uses now. Furthermore, happy rodents and fish are also worth countless amounts of money.
From the university’s perspective, we shouldn’t want to be known as one of the main UK organizations which is being matched with animal testing procedures. I think this image shows the lack of empathy the university has towards animals as well as a lack of morality. This image is undesirable for a university, especially for a university that pays a lot of attention to producing a good future for all. Investing in the development of human ways of scientific research is in my opinion the key for improving the universities image. Happy animals mean happy people, and happy people mean a happy university.
Illustration by Madeline Boyd
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