In attempts to find ways to suppress cancer cells and study gender behavior, Boston University laboratories use animals for research. Primarily, they use rats specifically bred for this purpose, so as to prevent skewing any results. This kind of research should not be protested, as it is one of the few options currently available to find cures for dangerous diseases.
According to BU’s Animal Care Facility staff, the rats used for testing are not tested upon for any particular products. This is an important distinction, as there is a large difference between medical research and product testing. While there are other ways to safely test products without harming rats, no computer program — the next-best option — available will provide information as accurate as hands-on medical research on rats can.
While drastic advancements have been made in finding cures for fatal diseases like cancer, there is still a need for more research. One of the best options out there is to use rats to examine the affects of these diseases and their possible cures. However, it is only reasonable to use this type of research on rats if it benefits humans and saves lives. Therefore, in performing this research, the staff must remain judicious and avoid inflicting unnecessary pain on the rats as much as possible.
If the staff is successful in making progress in its testing, then it is essential to continue in its work. Nevertheless, if the progress comes to a halt, plans to end the tests must be arranged.
The main reason testing these rats for medical research is allowable is the necessity of the research results. Until another, safer and more animal-friendly approach to finding medical cures is available, the careful use of rats for research is vital to saving lives.
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