Currently in my Physiological Psychology class we have been discussing the different debates between animal testing. My personal views over animal testing are more minimalist than abolitionist. Today, I want to bring up a more broad controversial debate over the idea of animal testing which involves the religious side of the debate. My catholic faith has been brought upon me since birth so the whole idea of living in God's image is the base or center of my way of life. Being that animal testing in frowned upon in the catholic church, it is still save to that with the help of animal testing medical research has exceeded many grand expectations. With that being said, that is why I have a minimalistic view over the topic but the talk of animal to human transplants is where I put my foot down and make a statement.
In the animal testing video that Dr. Brenham provided for us we learn that medical researcher are now starting to use pigs hearts in heart transplants. We are informed that pigs hearts are being considered in heart transplants because they are very close to identical to a human heart. I veto this act because this is just too extreme. Isn't testing and torturing the animals without consent enough already? Yes, use the pigs heart to study and improve heart disease but no I would not want a pigs heart in me. I apologize if what I say is offensive to some people but I am letting you know now that I mean to offend no one. But, brace yourself because here it is...We are created in the image of God and we are told that God makes no mistakes. We also need to understand that we humans can not live forever, unfortunately. With all this medical research and advance technology, we are just using it to alter God's vision. I understand and I am grateful with all the hard work and good outcomes that doctors, medical researcher, and whom ever else may fall under this category, but there is a limit and there is a point where enough is enough. I think personally that animal to human transplants is where we need to draw line.
I live you with this, we had the opportunity to live forever but our first parents (Adam & Eve) messed that up for us but that is another topic. Please comment love to hear your thoughts.
I also take the minimalist view. I agree that killing a pig just for a heart transplant is on the extreme side. I believe if the animal or person is already dead, then getting a organ transplant is ok if we want to survive and using them for heart disease research is ok. But having an animal’s heart is not that weird to me. It’s not like I’m going to mutate into half a pig.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we as humans kill animals for our own benefit all the time. We kill them for food. I’m pretty sure these pigs will be anesthetized for surgery so there will be no cruelty. I hope.
If this does become an option in the future then I hope pigs will not become extinct as a result. If we are willing to experiment on these animals when they are alive and out of their habitat then I don’t see how researchers will find it that extreme to kill them.
I find myself caught in the middle on this one. I am a Christian (and have been all my life) so I do understand where you're coming from Ashley, when you say that we are created in God's image. I know that humans are not made to live forever, but I have to say that if my mother needed a heart transplant I would not hesistate to have them use a pig's heart if that would save her life. I don't exactly think this means that we are altering God's vision by doing this.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the killing animals for our own benefit, this is where I agree with Samantha. We use animals for food all the time (and keep them locked up in factory farms where they are being mistreated anyway), so I don't really see the difference in using them for research purposes to save people's lives.
Thanks for the comment Stephanie. I understand what you mean when it comes to a family or personal friend if they are involved in the situation and since you put it that way I am not gonna lie to you either if it comes down to animal organ donors to save my mom/dad I will consider. I guess what should be argued is the maltreatment that the animals are put through.
DeleteWhile I agree with you that animal research should not be taken lightly, and should only be used very minimally. I feel that there is nothing wrong with using animals as organ donors, or even incubators for human organs. If you use religion to justify this then you can say that God gave us sovereignty over animals, as well as the capacity to advance far enough, technologically, to undertake these procedures.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't stand for is the maltreatment that some animals are put through. I'm sure somebody can make an argument for blinding, shocking and doing all sorts of other stuff to animals, but I personally cannot see the benefits of making animals suffer.