Wrongness of Animal Research

    The issue of animal research has frequently come up in our readings lately. Cohen claims not only that it isn’t wrong to harm animals for the good of humans, but that it is morally right to do so. He writes that it may hurt the animals, but it will save us pain, so it is worth it. Our interests trump whatever rights they may have. I agree that the use of animals in medical research has accomplished much, but I think he has gone overboard when he says it is morally right to use animals this way. He writes that humans’ interests are so important that it would be wrong to not use animals. But when he writes about all the pain that humans go through and how important it is to avoid it, it seems to me that he is getting defensive. Whenever anyone writes about how very important this research is, they just sound like they are grasping at the best excuses so that they don’t seem like bad people for approving of research that causes great pain and death to these animals. I cannot believe that using animals this way is morally right. This research is hurting animals, and that is the basic truth of it. When is it morally acceptable to hurt something? When it is going to hurt you? I would say so. When it is a danger to your health, such as a diseased rat living in your backyard? Probably. When it is inconveniencing you, such as ants in a house? Probably not. When you can benefit from its pain? Again, probably not. If you are not in danger from an animal, and you make it feel pain, you are doing wrong. But just because it’s wrong, that doesn’t mean it isn’t justified. The end results of animal research are immensely beneficial to humans. It does good, but it can’t possibly be good in and of itself. To me, it is wrong, but we should still do it. I think Cohen and others with the same stance need to admit that it is wrong to use animals this way, but that wrong actions can be justified. We humans are being so selfish, but if we realize this, we will be more careful when doing these experiments, and more grateful for the results. We will appreciate the medicine we get as a result, and we will feel grateful to the animals who died for us. We won’t stop doing wrong, but it is a small step to acknowledge our wrongness and therefore appreciate what we have more.