Write a critical essay on the use of animals in laboratories.
In short
Animal research remains necessary for safe drug development and medical breakthroughs, but animals feel pain, so its moral cost is real, and animal models do not always predict human responses. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, CPCSEA and animal ethics committees regulate it, while the 3Rs push alternatives.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 251 words
Judicial Safeguards
The Animal Welfare Board of India1 and the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja emphasize animals’ right to life and minimizing cruelty in experiments. These legal protections mandate strict oversight to prevent unnecessary suffering in laboratories.
Moral Status
Neuroscientific findings on animal pain challenge past views, raising ethical dilemmas about causing suffering for human benefit. Robert Sapolsky’s research on primates highlights animals’ capacity for pain and distress, urging reconsideration of their treatment in experiments.
Drug Development
Animal testing remains essential for preclinical safety and efficacy, with Indian and Telangana institutions adhering to biosafety guidelines and ethical oversight. Institutional Animal Ethics Committees under CPCSEA guidelines ensure responsible research, crucial for developing treatments for diseases prevalent in the region.
Ethical and Regulatory Hurdles
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and AWBI guidelines impose necessary but resource-intensive restrictions. Ensuring minimal pain and distress requires rigorous monitoring, which can slow research but is vital for humane treatment.
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Question from the official TGPSC Group-I Mains 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.