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When we think about the developments and advancements in the medical field, we often forget the sacrifices made by animals in the process. These animals, used in research and testing, have been instrumental in the discovery of life-saving therapies and drugs, but at what cost? With the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, the question of what we owe lab animals has come to the forefront of discussions on animal ethics.
The current ethical guidelines focus on minimizing the use of animals in research and harm inflicted upon them, but some experts propose taking it a step further with repayment. The Three Rs principle, first introduced in 1959, encourages researchers to replace animals with alternatives, reduce the number of animals used and refine their use to minimize pain and suffering. While these principles are commendable, they may not seem sufficient when we consider the benefits derived from animal testing.
Covid-19 vaccines, for example, were tested on mice and monkeys and were developed quickly due to decades of animal-based work on mRNA vaccine technology. These vaccines saved an estimated 20 million lives in their first year of use and earned billions of dollars in revenue. Given this dynamic, which applies to many other human lifesaving therapeutics, some believe that a fourth R might be necessary: repayment.
The idea of repayment is already present in some research communities, especially in labs that provide retirement arrangements for animals, primarily non-human primates, to sanctuaries. In the case of dogs and other companion species, they may even be adopted as pets. This act of giving back is seen as balancing the equation, offering something in return for the sacrifices made by these animals.
However, adoption is not an option for animals that have been killed, and this raises the question of how the debt can be repaid. Research labs may create memorials for these animals, such as plaques, pictures, and poems, to remember and honor their sacrifices.
Medical anthropologist Lesley Sharp notes that these animals deserve respect and recognition, and even though honoring them is not the same as giving something back, it is a start. She suggests that just like transplant recipients often want to give back after receiving an organ donation, lab animals deserve a proxy in the form of close surviving kin.
So, what can we do to repay these animals? While it may seem like a small gesture, making a donation to a sanctuary fund or supporting organizations that care for retired lab animals is a step in the right direction. We can also advocate for the development of animal-free methods for drug development and product safety testing, which would reduce the need for animal testing.
In conclusion, we owe lab animals more than just gratitude. These animals have made countless sacrifices for the betterment of humanity, and it is our responsibility to repay them. Let’s start by supporting organizations that care for retired lab animals and advocating for alternative methods of testing. It’s time to pay it forward and show our gratitude in tangible ways.
Not Your Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection
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“Betterment of humanity”? That’s a sick joke! All medical advancement does is increase global human overpopulation at the expense of ALL other animals, domestic (“livestock”) and wild (“resources”).