" It is inhumane, to the majority of Americans.
It is possible to find a middle ground in the issues of such animal rights groups as PETA, and list several points of agreement regarding what is ethically humane and for the animal's positive welfare. That is, the two opposing sides should be able to agree to the following without abandoning their basic positions: 1) Animals do have sensations, such as pain, and emotional states, such as fear or suffering. Research is growing for the proposition that at least vertebrate animals are very likely sentient (Rose and Adams); 2) Numerous animals, at the very least mammals, have the capacity a variety of other mental states, such as distress and discomfort. This is why animal researchers must use anesthesia or analgesia to reduce or eliminate pain and suffering; 3) Government and private organizations need to invest more in finding alternatives to using animals for research, such as computer simulations, should be continuously sought to reduce if not eliminate any concerns of animal pain and suffering. In many cases, these alternatives may very well be an even more scientifically valid approach than traditional animal experimentation. than they have to date in the development of establishing such options to research; 4) Housing conditions for research animals can and should be improved in both environmental and, when necessary, social aspects.
Animal welfare advocates join the cry against animals that are indeed evilly treated, such as the thousands of older greyhound dogs who are caged and killed every year just because they cannot run as fast. They also weep for the thousands...
Yet these same animal welfare advocates ask for consideration from groups such as PETA to recognize that human compassion necessitates helping others of one's same species to a descent life if this entails animal research. Animal welfare advocates do not condone stopping all research. Yet they do support that 1) all these studies must be vitally necessary for human betterment, 2) scientists should use less-complex sentient animals as much as possible, 3) living and social conditions of research animals meet the highest standards; 4) there is a constant effort to find alternative methods for testing.
There is not that great of a difference between the animal rights and animal welfare proponents. Conciliation is needed until viable testing vehicles can replace animal research. This will be iin the best interests of all of humanity.
