What does the Bible have to say that would apply to animal testing?

Answer

Animal testing is a contentious issue. Advocates highlight the advantages of animal testing in terms of scientific advancements, medical discoveries, prevention of harm to humans, and knowledge acquisition. Critics point out instances of animal abuse, the presence of alternative methods, animal suffering, and animal rights. Does the Bible take a stance on animal testing?

Genesis 1 recounts God’s creation of animals. In Genesis 1:28, God grants humanity dominion over the rest of creation: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” This dominion is not meant to be an oppressive rule but rather a responsible stewardship. God entrusted His creation to humans to nurture it, even allowing Adam to name the animals (Genesis 2:19-20).

When Adam and Eve sinned, all of creation suffered. Romans 8:19–21 states, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” We observe specific consequences of this frustration and decay in the human-animal relationship. Shortly after the first sin, the first animal sacrifice is mentioned in Genesis 3:21.

Following Noah and his family’s deliverance from the Flood, humanity’s interaction with animals underwent further changes. “God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.'”

Sh in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything’” (Genesis 9:1-3). Animals had always been subject to human rule, but after the Fall, they were used for sacrifices. After the Flood, they were used for food. Man’s rulership did not become tyranny, but God’s plan did involve the sacrifice of animals to cover human sin. This was God’s gracious, albeit temporary provision until His ultimate plan of redemption was realized through Christ (Hebrews 10:4-5).

In a perfect world, there would be no need for animal testing. We would not battle the decay that products created with animal testing seek to slow down. We would not be manufacturing things to improve our lives and having to first test them on animals to ensure we did not unintentionally harm humans. We would not need to put animals through psychological tests to determine why people’s minds and hearts get sick. But we live in a fallen world. And God has graciously permitted us to use animals to help us better understand and alleviate suffering.

This is not to say that humans have free rein and that animals should be treated as inanimate objects. In fact, the Bible mentions the proper care of animals. In Genesis 9:4, God commands against eating meat with its lifeblood still in it. In Genesis 9:8–17, God includes animals in His covenant never to destroy the entire earth through flooding. Deuteronomy 25:4 says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Proverbs 12:10 provides a summary: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Animals are to help us in our work, and they are useful in many ways, but they are not to be abused. God has given us management over the animals, and He expects us to be caring.

Being responsible and faithful stewards is crucial.

We must make decisions regarding animal testing with seriousness and a desire to please God. Are we choosing animals because they are the convenient choice or because they are the optimal choice? Are the animals receiving humane treatment? Will the testing truly result in a necessary benefit for humans? Are the animals seen as mere objects for our use or as beings to be cared for in order to fulfill God’s command to honor Him in all our actions?