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Debate at a glance:
  • International
  • Four countries participated
  • USA, India, Australia, UK
  • 18 students (19 and under) participated
  • Debate conducted similar to an online discussion
  • Portion of debate conducted in classroom

Note: This page includes perspectives from various children around the world on the issue of using animals in research. What they said has been included here in their own words.
No portion of their writing has been edited.

Animals used in research
This debate started off with the following question:
How do you feel about animals used in research?

I would be okay with it if the tests were completely pain free for the animals and if they were kept happy.

Branden (USA, Age 13)

I think it's okay because it is either us or them.

Ryan (USA, Age 13)

Countless animals are sacrificed in labs in the name of cosmetic testing. There is no way that people will tolerate this being done to humans. Who gives us the right to play with these lives? They are clearly not put on this planet for this purpose.

Alex (UK, Age 15)

We should not harm animals for human benefit. Giving them cancer to save us is wrong. And testing things like mice is completely terrible.

Drew (USA, Age 13)

It is cruel and completely unnecessary.

Kalpana (India, Age 15)

They do all kinds of tests on the eyes and skin of all these poor innocent animals. They also conduct oral toxicity tests. It is cruel, inhumane, and fundamentally wrong.

Anita (Australia, Age 15)

Viable non-animal alternatives and pre-existing safety data are available. Animal testing is not necessary for cosmetics, personal care, or household products.

Jacob (USA, Age 14)

I am entirely against it; animals have very different reactions to chemicals than humans do. It isn't worth it.

Lauren (USA, Age 13)

I think it's wrong because you are sacrificing innocent lives just to research something, and the animals have no say in what's happening to them. So their lives are probably full of fear and pain, and no living creature should have a life like that.

Jessica (USA, Age 13)

I do not agree with that at all ! I think that, unless its been tested before and everything went okay, we shouldn't do tests on any animals.

Sarah (USA, Age 13)

It's okay.

Spencer (USA, Age 13)

I feel that I have very mixed emotion about this.

Alex (USA, Age 13)

It depends on the type of research. If they are testing makeup and perfumes and stuff then that would be awful but f they are used for bettering of the world then it's okay.

Erin (USA, Age 12)

I don't like it because tests are abusing the animals who really should have a good home or live free.

Kerri (USA, Age 13)

I think it is wrong and cruel and that if they want to test their products on someone test it on a willing human subject.

Taylor (USA, Age 13)

I like this idea. We use humans for research too and its important to know how animals function and what they once were and will be.

Kyle (USA, Age 12)

If they are rats then it's okay.

Sam (USA, Age 12)

Animal testing I am completely against.

Joe (USA, Age 13)