Pros and Cons of Animal Testing - Latest Research in Ongoing Debate

Nonpartisan ProCon.org Launches Its New Website on the Animal Testing Debate

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 26 million animals, including cats, rats, dogs, mice and marmosets, are used every year in the United States for scientific and commercial testing.

ProCon.org, a nonpartisan research organization devoted to critical thinking on controversial topics, debuts its 49th issue website, http://animal-testing.procon.org, and delves deeply into the pros and cons of animal testing using the latest studies, perspectives, and facts.

Proponents of animal testing say that it has enabled the development of many life-saving treatments for both humans and animals, that there is no alternative method for researching a complete living organism, and that strict regulations prevent the mistreatment of animals in laboratories.

Opponents of animal testing say that it is cruel and inhumane to experiment on animals, that alternative methods available to researchers can replace animal testing, and that animals are so different from human beings that research on animals often yields irrelevant results.

In response to the website's core question, "Should animals be used for scientific or commercial testing?" ProCon.org presents sourced pros and cons, a historical background section, videos, images, over 100 footnotes and sources, and Did You Know? facts including (sources available online):

* 95% of animals used in experiments are not protected by the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which excludes birds, rats and mice bred for research, and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles and most fish.

* A 2011 poll of nearly 1,000 biomedical scientists conducted by the science journal Nature found that more than 90% "agreed that the use of animals in research is essential."

* Chimpanzees share 99% of their DNA with humans, and mice are 98% genetically similar to humans. The United States and Gabon are the only two countries that allow experimentation on chimpanzees.

"We tackled this classic debate because our readers asked us to, because it affects many people and animals, and frankly because many existing sources have a stake in the discussion," explains ProCon.org President & Managing Editor Kamy Akhavan. "We have no stake in the issue other than to stimulate critical thinking by presenting the best arguments on both sides."

For pros, cons, and related research on animal testing, visit http://animal-testing.procon.org  

About Us

ProCon.org (online at www.procon.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity whose mission is promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship.  Information is presented on 48 different ProCon.org issue websites in subjects ranging from Obamacare, alternative energy, and medical marijuana to the death penalty, illegal immigration, and gay marriage.

ProCon.org websites are free of charge and require no registration.  The websites have been cited dozens of times by the governments of 11 countries (including the United States where 27 states and nine federal agencies cite ProCon.org), and used by teachers, librarians, and educators in over 4,100 schools in all 50 US states and 58 countries.

ProCon.org had over 15.7 million unique readers in 2012 and more than 2 billion hits since its inception in 2004.

ProCon.org has been referenced by mainstream media over 900 media times, including: 60 Minutes, ABC, Associated Press, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, BBC, Bloomberg, Business Week, CBS News, CNN, CNBC, Contra Costa Times, Dallas Morning News, The Economist, Esquire, Forbes, FOX News, The Guardian, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Mother Jones, NBC, New England Journal of Medicine, New York Times, The Oregonian, Orlando Sentinel, PBS, Reuters, Slate, USA Today, Washington Post, Wired, and many others.

For information about ProCon.org, visit www.procon.org and its social media profiles at

Facebook: www.facebook.com/procon.org

Twitter: www.twitter.com/procon_org

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/proconorg

YouTube: www.youtube.com/proconorg

Tumblr: proconorg.tumblr.com

Contact: Kambiz Akhavan
3105871407
[email protected]

SOURCE ProCon.org