Blind your ponies discussion questions

In your own words, answer this unit's discussion questions in a main post (recommended minimum 200 words), and respond to at least 2 peers’ postings (recommended minimum 75 words).

After you have reviewed the Assignment Details below, click the Discussion Board link under the My Work heading above to open the Discussion Board and make your post.

Review this tutorial on How to Post to the Discussion Board.

Assignment Details

Animal Testing

Humans use animals for all sorts of things, like food, of course, and companionship. They harvest all sorts of animal products from wool and leather to glue and even heart valves. Animals are used for many different services: guard dogs, therapy animals, truffle-hunting pigs, polo ponies, and so on. In 1933, more than a dozen women went blind after using Lash Lure mascara (National Academy Press, 2004). The compounds in this product literally burned their eyes and resulted in blindness and even death in one case. This led to the use of animals for safety testing of cosmetics. Today, animal testing for safety and efficacy of drugs, sweeteners, food additives, and medical treatments is commonplace. These uses are controversial, however, not only because the animals may suffer during the process and are often euthanized at the end of a test, but because even closely related mammals do not respond to drugs or toxins the same way humans do much of the time. Mice models are often used for safety testing, but they may not be the best choice.

This video may help you decide: Should We Trust Studies On Mice?

Use this article to help shape your opinion on animal testing: Pros and Cons of Animal Testing: (Helpful or Harmful?)

Now choose ONE of the following topics: