UW-Madison Cat Research Articles

I feel as though research on animals is permissible as long as there is a significant benefit that would result from the research and the animals being experimented on are done so humanely. An example of testing an animal for a valid purpose would be the experiment described in the article that would benefit human health whereas animal testing for products such as cosmetics does not provide a large benefit to humans. I feel as though the incident in the Madison lab was just an unfortunate accident seeing as they otherwise treated the animals humanely by administering anesthesia prior to the operation. When compared to experiments such as the draize test which involves repeatedly placing toxic substances in an animal's eye and recording the results, the tests performed at the Madison lab appear to be perfectly humane. I respect what P.E.T.A is fighting for and agree on certain issues such as finding alternatives for animal fur and fighting against animal cruelty, however I feel as though the organization should understand that it impossible for animals to be equal to humans in every way. One argument P.E.T.A has raised is that of humans farming animals for meat. Animals consuming other animals is a concept that has existed in nature for millions of years, and if the animals are given a good life up until their death and are killed in a humane way I do not see how that would be cruel. Returning to the cat, I understand why P.E.T.A would be upset, but feel in this particular instance what occurred was merely an accident in an otherwise humane and beneficial experiment.