To begin, this is a difficult subject for me to consider since I do not believe that this debate is so cut and dry as many people assume. To agree and say that we should ban animal testing ignores not only the potential advantages of animal testing but additionally disregards the confirmed benefits of animal testing within the field of science and technology. However, to disagree and argue that we should not ban animal testing overlooks the danger and inhumane treatment of animals that often arise when testing products on animals.
So, with such conflicts raised, how do we as society handle testing on animals?
To provide my personal thoughts, I think that we should continue testing on animals with the exception that such testing will benefit and advance society within the field of medicine. Consequently, other tests and experiments that do not pertain to the medical field, such as cosmetics and beauty, should not involve animal subjects, since they do not provide medical advancement. Additional testing should then rely on volunteer human subjects to test such beauty and cosmetics experiments.
I personally assume this stance since cosmetic products are not consequential for the health and well-being of society. Not testing for vaccines, medicine, or health treatments, beauty and makeup testing focuses on the wants and desires of humans instead of the essential needs that medicine provides. Beyond elevating the physical appearance of a person, beauty and cosmetic testing does not provide the same benefit and advancement for people that medical testing offers. And why subject animals to these tests?
