Research question : Should animal testing be banned?
note : please follow the as the outline word file states with the hypothesis, methodology and everything else and be sure to go with the rubric
Minimum number of survey questions : 4
Minimum number of survey responders : 5 people
Minimum number of interviewees : 1
Introduction
Animal testing is a controversial topic due to the complex ethical variations and standpoints among scientists, veterinarians and policy makers. Every individual feels entitled to have an opinion about animal testing. Human beings have an inherent sense of ownership of animals. They treat them as a resource whose value relies on the ability to produce and reproduce. As the most rational and logical living things in nature, we are obligated to take care of the animals (Szumer, Z., 2013, p.8). Although we protect them, the question is, does animal testing work for the benefit of the animals, or is it merely for crossbreeding and bringing forth new offspring for our selfish interests. This paper will address the key explores the benefits of animal testing to determine its credibility. The essay presents divergent interpretations of the ethical view of animal testing in correspondence to animal rights.
Research Question
QI How does animal testing affect animal health?
Q2 is animal testing cruel and invasive?
Q3Are animals used in tests protected by the Animal Welfare Act?
Q4 Does testing animals affect their health?
Hypothesis
Animal testing affects the health and the general wellbeing of animals
Methodology
Participants
This study targeted five farmers who rear animals for commercial use. The farmers answered a set of questions administered by the interviewee. The group comprised 40% male and 60% female between the ages of 30-45 years. The participants were chosen randomly. All the farmers run small medium business which produce locally consumed goods such as milk, hides, and skins.
On January 21st, 2021, the interviewer summoned all interested parties who preferred not to disclose their names to participate in the study. This exercise was led and guided by Mary Smiths, a senior Veterinarian at the Cat’s Paw Veterinary and Research Center. Mary is well versed with animal psychology and is vocal on the safety and mental wellness of animals. Also she conducts annual seminar and workshop to educate people of the adverse effects of animal testing. To assess the extent and nature of the impacts of animal testing Mary structured her interview into two broad questions and allowed the audience to fill in using their own words.
The session was also conducted by Sharleen Walker a prominent large scale farmer who has vast experience rearing and breeding exotic animals. Sharleen holds a Diploma in animal rearing and husbandry and operates a local consulting firm in downtown Alabama. During the interview, she concentrated more on the scientific insights on animal testing.
Instruments
This study used online surveys to collect data. The survey was created using Google Forms and contained 6 questions. All the questions were constructed in multiple-choice form.
The two interviews were conducted face to face. The first set of questions was with the commercial farmers; this session was conducted face to face and needed the consent of the interviewee to record and take down notes. Also, the subsequent interview with Mrs. Sharleen was conducted face to face and the provisional taking down of notes.
Procedure
This study gathered data from a vast network of people both online and offline. Initially, the interviewer in charge emailed the participants a private link to access the survey. The participants were commercial farmers and business owners that had the knowledge and experience required to fill in the survey. One week after dispatching the survey through email, the private link expired, and all the responses gathered were examined.
On the other hand, Mrs. Sharleen interview flowed smoothly, and in less than 10 minutes, the interview was over. Mrs. Sharleen exhibited extreme professionalism while conducting the interviews
Results
Quantitative Resuls
The main goal of the paper was to determine the existing reasons why farmers chose to test animals.
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Qualitative Results
The study’s interview questions and answers were as follows:
How does testing harm animals?
According to research, farmers test animals both in small and large-scale farming. Farmers use chemically engineered tests and drugs to increase yields, breeding, and reproduction. Testing domesticated animals can cause trauma, stress which can lead to psychological disabilities or even death (Richter, Garner and Würbel, 2009, p.258). Human beings subject the animals to gruesome activities and harsh environmental conditions that impair the animal physically for their selfish interests. In some cases, the farmers conduct the test daily; therefore this may cause the animals to experience severe depression and may end up psychologically damaged.
What are some of the reasons why animal testing should be banned?
Firstly animal testing is cruel and intrusive, and animals get injured, starved, disabled, or die. The tests of animals are flawed and can lead to premature killing, which then leads to sudden decline or extinction of certain species in the ecosystem (Lanigan, and Yamarik, 2002, p.19).. However, people do not believe in the fair treatment of animals. Peoples believe that animals are lesser living things and are only valuable for financial gain. Although commercial farming is beneficial to the life and existence of human beings, it is wrong to overwork, misuse, and abuse animals for money (Scruton, 2018, p.9). Most of the animals reared for commercial are not registered with the Animals rights board. As a result, there are not liable for the inspection of their tests, feeding habits and living areas. In the modern contemporary world, animals are subjected to extensive, invasive, and inappropriate surgical operations and tests for excessive recreational activities
What is your level of expertise?
I am a senior veterinarian at the Cat’s Paw Veterinary and Research Center and serve as a board member in the Animal Rights Board. I possess a PhD in animal rearing and farming with a particular focus on healthy reproduction through modern technology to avoid overexploitation of animals.
How many years have you been running the consultancy firm?
The consulting firm has been running for five and a half years now.
The interview questions for the farmer Ms. Shallot
What tests do you do in your firm?
I test animals for fertility tests every year to ensure that there are ready to mate. This process involves pricking their skin to draw specimens which are then sent to the laboratory for all the fertility tests. We also vaccinate our animals to protect them against epidemics arising during the different seasons. I source the vaccines from a credible and licensed veterinary to ensure that I use medically proven vaccines and in the correct dosage.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of conducting the tests?
I can regulate the rate of reproduction and breeding to ensure the healthy development of the animals. Testing ensures that the animals bring forth healthy offspring’s. It also allows the farmer to make the necessary adjustments to match the animals’ needs during the gestation period. Vaccinating the animals protects them from contracting harmful diseases.
Animal testing is costly as it requires one to source from medically licensed institutions. It is a tedious process. Also, tests are intrusive and can cause stress a trauma in the animals.
Discussion
After an in-depth analysis of the survey conducted, the hypothesis is valid and accurate. According to a majority of the farmers, animal testing should be banned. Animal testing increases the risk of stress, psychological torture that can cause death. 50% of the participants claimed that only 10% of the tests are conducted for scientific research. Animal tests harbor more risks than benefits. However, according to the professions, animal testing fosters healthy reproduction and breeding when the ethics of the Animal Welfare Act conducts testing.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In summary, it is of paramount importance for all the parties involved in animal testing to derive accurate tests that are less intrusive and work towards improving the animals’ health and lifespan. Researchers should minimize excessive testing while farmers provide well-ventilated, adequately lit areas with free space for animals used for research purposes to live in. On the other hand, veterinarians and government officials should enact stringent measures, lengthy jail terms, and hefty penalties should be passed to reduce the overexploitation of animal testing for recreational purposes or any other financial gain. Furthermore, all animals used foe tests are covered by the Animal Welfare Act.
| References
Szumer, Z., 2013. Animal testing. Arena Magazine (Fitzroy, Vic), (127), pp.7-9. |
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| Scruton, R., 2018. Animal rights. Analysis. Claves de Pensamiento Contemporáneo, 21(3), pp.1-13. | ||
| Lanigan, R.S. and Yamarik, T.A., 2002. Final report on the safety assessment of BHT (1). International journal of toxicology, 21, pp.19-94. | ||
Richter, S.H., Garner, J.P. and Würbel, H., 2009. Environmental standardization: cure or cause of poor reproducibility in animal experiments?. Nature methods, 6(4), pp.257-261.
APPENDIX
Survey to establish credibility of animal testing from farmers
Please mark the appropriate answers to all the questions below:
What is your age range?
-20 to 30 years
-31 to 40 years
-41 to 50 years
What is your occupation?
-Farmer
-Vetenary
Scientist
What is your gender ?
Male
Female
Do you test animals?
-Yes
-No
If yes why do you test animals
-Product safety
-Scientific research
-Reproduction/breeding
-Recreational activities
If No why don’t you test animals?
-Its cruel and inflict pain on animals
-Tests are not covered by the Animal Welfare Act
-Tests are not accurate and flawed
How can we ban animal testing
-Advocating for animal rights
-Boycotting companies that test animals
-Examining the validity of tests
-Reporting tests that are flawed.
What institutions should conduct tests on animals?
-Vetenaries
-Scientific Research Institutions
