Using animals for laboratory testing is horrible, and regrettable. Unfortunately, it's also necessary. People have to be protected. As a species we have just as much right to protect our own as the next; alas, we humans, for the extent of our history, are constantly putting ourselves in dangerous positions. We crossed oceans, spread disease, created environments for new, stronger diseases and viruses to develop. Even further back in our history, nature forced us to undertake either a dangerous or lamentable lifestyle. We have no strong sense of smell to seek out only the healthy plants, so we watched and saw which animals ate which plants, or we fed them to domesticated creatures. It was either that, or die trying. The same stands true today; we put ourselves in danger, inventing new foods, products, and chemicals – there has to be a way to assure the peoples safety.
             I am a speciest and I am proud to be one. I care for my species more than others simply by virtue of the fact that it is mine. I believe other animals have a lesser value than humans because of their lack of mental facility. This is not to say that it is our right to do with them whatever we want, but to use them as they are needed. Many people have come back at me with questions as to how I view members of my own species with lower mental capability – thinking I'll back down. But I won't because I'm comfortable with the uncomfortable fact that not all people are equal; but that's another issue. Humans have a need for food – animals fill that. Humans have a need to be safe and healthy – animal testing is our only option.
             It would be immoral to use people for one of two reasons. One, either the person isn't mentally capable to understand the procedures and dangers of the experiment and therefore cannot give informed consent, or, two, the person is in a financial state where there will do even the lowliest of jobs....