A Compromise for Controversy

     There is no doubt that when using animals for lab testing, there are pros and cons for each party whether in favor or against. On the positive side, we are better able to advance the medical industry in all realms, but on the negative side, we are using the lives of these creatures and could possibly cause them discomfort and in the worst scenarios death if improperly cared for. Therefore, I think it would be best to determine areas that, if addressed, will improve the outlook for all parties. After interpreting what the concerns are from both perspectives, here are three ways that laboratory testing of rats could be improved.

     1. Test groups for experimentation can be made smaller. A maximum number of test subjects for each trial would be a great place to start before beginning. Though, setting a maximum number of subjects does not need to be the same depending on what kind of trial is being done in order to leave room for marginal errors, pending the analysis of all variables that need to be taken into account for the trial results to be deemed safe. 

    2. Conveniently, by default, when decreasing the size of test groups, and the number of rats that need to be housed, we can easily create larger and more mentally stimulating enclosures for the animals that are not as stressful or crammed with the other rats. Well-lit rooms with proper hiding, exercise, sleep, recommended square footage per rat, and bathroom areas for are all things that need to be taken seriously when planning the use of living animals for an experiment. Keeping these things in mind, should maintain a healthy living environment for the duration of an experiment. 

    3. Unfortunately, depending on the severity of the experiment being conducted, there may always be a time and place where euthanasia may need to come into play. Whether the cause be from the experiment itself, sickness, age, or illness, a plan needs to be set in place to ensure that no animal is left suffering. I propose that in order to prevent inhumane euthanasia methods for these rats that a licensed veterinarian, or veterinary hospital be involved in the experiments throughout conduction in order to determine quality of life and maintained health. Then, upon determination of a DVM, if a rat is deemed unfit and suffering if life is continued, then humane euthanasia be performed by a vet. 

If these three proposals alone are taken into account if lab testing of rats were to continue that it will ease the minds of anyone. 

    

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