Q: Is the animal research where mice and pigs are the subjects of medical research involving giving them certain experimental medicine as a trial before trying it on humans to see the adverse effects of the medicine or killing them for the purpose of research or as an ultimate end point of research permissible?
What if it is done with an intention of human benefit as humans cannot be the trial subjects in the frst phase of the research when adverse effects of a medication or intervention is not known and if animlas are not tried, research projects cannot go on and newer medical interventions/medications, diagnostic tools and treatment will not evolve. Is this kind of research considered to be a zulm on animals?
A: To subject any animal to any unnecessary pain and torture is impermissible.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)