Animal testing to save the lives of other animals (including us...)

I have incredibly controversial views on this...so apologise in advance. As a lot of people are going to disagree and probably hate me a little!

I do not believe in animal testing at all. Animals have a completely different biological make up to us (bar pigs but they never seem to test on those :S). What might work on say a dog...may never (and this is constantly proven) work on us.

So. There-in lies the dillema. I fully believe that medicine is required. I love my family, I want them to  stay alive. I personally want to stay alive. But if we can't test out  products how do we make medicine to do this...stay alive.

We need to test these medicines on people....now I see people as 'beings'. They are no different to cats/monkeys/whales. They all feel pain. They are not better or worse. So I wouldn't want to inflict pain on those that don't deserve it....

This is where the controversial bit pops up. Death row.  I think if someone has done such a heinous crime to be on death row. And all they do it sit their for 20 years before being 'put to sleep' Why not make use of them? I am talking about the worst of the worst here though...not the Troy Davis's whereby  there was a possibility he was innocent. The ones that are 100% guilty, and not even repentant. Why not make make their final days useful for mankind?

And now I await the hate mail...

Hate mail? Pffft. I'm with you 100%. I also believe in the death penalty, and I'm not fussed what people think of me in that regard. I don't see how a vile crim should be treated as anything but, and quite frankly, where human research is concerned, it should be conducted on humans and only humans - end of story.

Humans can consent. Test on the willing.

I'm for animal testing but heavy penalties to those that break any ethical rules as well as labs should always be working to improve on the rules and procedures for human and non-human welfare.

This idea the scientists are just heartless pricks that test on non-human animals for the sake of it/too lazy/ etc is very misguided. This forum is quite rational but I've heard a lot of flak thrown at scientists I know and it's something I get annoyed (to say the least) about when I see it in the animal rights movement.

Here's a (long) article discussing the scientific view point of this issue while debunking claims that we have in the animal rights movement:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/poor-scientific-arguments-in-the-service-of-animal-rights-activism/

Also, here's some links discussing the ethical issues we face with testing on humans:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/ethics-in-human-experimentation-in-science-based-medicine/
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/human-subjects-protections-and-research-ethics-why-randomized-clinical-trials-cant-always-be-done/

If I come across some other articles from another source, I'll post them up.

Also, I'm against the death penalty.

To be honest I don't think its right in most cases as we dont look after ourselves and eat these poor animals which causes half the diseases anyway IMO.

cancer is a tricky one as its not known exactly what CAUSES it ...... but i would only be happy with tests on already sick animals.

I would probably rather die than have a treatment some rat has been killed for....strange i know. but i think the world is on the wrong path here - testing everything on animals - giving their life no respect,

ill accept my time when it comes and not kill animals to make my life longer.

that man/woman - im assuming man who wrote that talks waaaayyyy too much. like hes that smart ass in high school everyone finds annoying . ....... i didnt read it all but i get his gist of - 'im right , animal activists are wrong, based on emtions ' ---- something he has nothing of so it seems.

I don't agree with animal testing at all. It's one of those ends justify the means things and I just don't agree that the ends can ever justify the means. Like most people I have been touched by cancer and other diseases etc, but I still don't agree that the health of humans justifies experimenting on animals. Just like I don't believe torture is ever justified. If we have to deny our own humanity and ignore our own empathy to achieve a 'good' outcome, I am not convinced of whether it is worth it.

My problem with this article (which immediately made me stop reading) is this -

Well cool bro but considering that's my issues with it we aren't going to get on the same page. I just can't see why anyone would feel comfortable knowing a living creature is being experimented on against their will. The thought is truly horrifying.

Yes, humans are awful so yes test on humans.  WE have no right no matter what the circumstance to abuse Gods living creatures in any way or form.  Humans are awful but not so thick they cannot find other methods.