Why Are Animals Used in Biomedical Research?
The use of animals in some types of research is essential to the development of new and more effective methods for diagnosing and treating diseases that affect both humans and animals. Scientists use animals to learn more about health problems, and to assure the safety of new medical treatments. Medical researchers need to understand health problems before they can develop ways to treat them. Some diseases and health problems involve processes that can only be studied in living organisms. Animals are necessary to medical research because it is impractical or unethical to use humans. Animals make good research subjects for a variety of reasons. Animals are biologically similar to humans. They are susceptible to many of the same health problems, and they have short life-cycles so they can easily be studied throughout their whole life-span or across several generations. In addition, scientists can easily control the environment around animals (diet, temperature, lighting), which would be
Animals are often used in Biomedical Research, for a variety of reasons. Before explaining the reason for this, the term “Biomedical Research” should be defined. Biomedical Research is a broad category of science. Biomedical Research tries to find ways to prevent and treat diseases in people and animals. Biomedical Research encompasses many areas of both life and physical science.
Animals are used in biomedical research as biological models instead of using humans. Researchers use animal models because they help answer questions that could not be answered with the technology and methods that currently exist. Many animals have numerous anatomical, cellular, physiological, and biochemical similarities with humans which help us understand human diseases and how the human body works. The use of animals allows for testing various forms of treatment for illnesses and conditions found in both humans and animals. What research has been dependent on animals? • Kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, and lung transplants developed using dogs, sheep, cows, and pigs. • Study of vitamin B deficiency, which causes heart and nerve impairment, using chickens. • Leprosy research using monkeys and armadillos. • Vaccines developed for polio, cholera, diphtheria, influenza, and plague. • Research on the communicative abilities of primates has led to strategies for teaching language to ment
