Expert: Charlie B - 5/11/2011

Question
Hello

I am conducting research for my Year 12 Study of Religion assignment. It would be much appreciated if you could help me in answering some questions.

Question 1. Animals have be used as test dummies for different biotechnology applications such as medical, environmental or even household products. As an individual, is it right to use animals in medical research?

Questions 2. In Christian thinking, it is stated that “animals were created by God for the use of humans therefore humans can use them in any way they can.” Is this statement true? And as a Catholic do you follow this statement? If not do you think that the awareness in the media about animal cruelty has influenced your believe and other Christian’s beliefs whether it is right to use animals?

Thank you very much

Jessica :)

Answer
Jessica,
Thanks for your question.  I'm not the best 'expert' on this site to answer your question.  Rather than refuse it as a "homework question" which is technically not encouraged for experts to respond, I'll give you my personal opinion.  Truthfully, I'd post again to a different expert to gain their perspectives and insights.

Question one is an easy answer for me but probably one that you won't like.  I love animals.  My sister is a US National Park Services ranger for 16 years, and works to protect many land & ocean species who struggle to maintain their habitat on this earth.  

God meant animals for man's dominion and use.  Relative to utilizing animals in experiments (drug/pharma, biological, pyschological, equipment tests, etc), I think that it is fine, yet unfortunate.  Do most scientists and testing organizations attempt to NOT perform testing with animals?   I'd say 'yes.'   Yet, it's not completely unnecessary and reality dictates, or perhaps what God intended -- given man's dominion in the Bible as Christians. We've rode horses, made dogs pull our sleds over snow and ice, grazed cattle for meat, sheep for clothes & meat, goats for meat and milk... all examples of "use" or "utilization" and not wrong in nature, by most people's opinions, yes?

The Bible is full of uses of animals, yet the Old Testament 'sacrificing' was common, yet let's all agree that we've moved far beyond that as humanity.  Slaughtering animals for no reason and animal abuse is wrong, and always will be.  The human race did it 75 years ago in Nazi Germany to the Jews, and that was clearly wrong.

2nd question:  when you say "anyway they can.." that's inaccurate.  Jessica, do you live in the city or the country?   If you lived on a farm, as a little girl (or myself, little boy), to see chicks so cute when they first are born and then we eat them in a few months; cute calf with soft fur and loving nature, we eventually eat him in a few years; & horses pull plows.  Think back to just a few generations ago, we "can" and did use animals.  It's the way it was meant to be, in my humble opinion -- part of God's grand design.   

Here's an academic answer to your question:  
http://catechismoncall.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/animal-rights-and-the-catholic-c...
http://www.openbible.info/topics/animal_cruelty
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=1463
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04542a.htm

Good luck on your studies!

God bless,
Charlie

PS -- feedback/evaluations are appreciated and welcomed!  :-)