A Thoughtful Conversation

Dipti: Hello Deeya. So how was your day, today at school?

Deeya: As usual. Two exercises in math, diagrams and notes in science, explanations and discussions in social sciences and languages. But all this becomes a lot of fun with friends.

Dipti: But you know what, this is our last year at school and soon we are going to begin a new chapter in the book of our life. What do you aspire to become?

Deeya: I really don't know. I have started planning and once I come to a conclusion I will surely tell you. But my main aim is to earn so much of money that I can fulfill my family's dreams and then spend my whole life helping children, old people and animals. I want to achieve this in my life.

Dipti: Oh goodness! If I would have had it, I really would have given you the noble peace prize.

[Both laugh]

Deeya: By the way, what are your plans for life?

Dipti: I am interested in drawing and painting. I feel I can do good in fashion designing.

Deeya: Wonderful! It is great to know that you know what you like and would like to become. Hey have watched the movie 'The Amazing Spider-man'? I watched it last night and I loved it. It just crossed my mind.

Dipti: Yes, I have watched it. This reminds me of testing medicines on animals. Do you remember the scene in which a medicine is tested on a rat?

Deeya: Yes. I remember. Today I read in the newspaper about the death of a few rats, after a test was done on them.

Dipti: This is a matter of serious concern. How can some people just inject something new and unknown into an innocent being's body? They don't even know its side effects.

Deeya: You are correct. Not only rats, there are many other animals also, like chimpanzees who have been tested. Chimpanzees have 98% of human DNA which makes it easier for doctors to understand how a particular medicine or drug can help.

Dipti: But I have a doubt. Not all animals have diseases. Then how do they test them?

Deeya: That's a very good question. Most of the animals are healthy. First, they inject the disease into them. Then, they test them by injecting the antidote or medicine. Just imagine the amount of pain they suffer.

Dipti: Oh my god! Humans might be the most intelligent species on earth but they are the cruelest ones too. Even animals only kill when needed and not for greed. I feel so bad for these innocent animals, who suffer so much or lose their lives for what humans call 'development'. Animals should not be used for testing medicines. Such actions should be banned and made illegal.

Deeya: Looks like you are quite concerned for these innocent animals. But have you ever thought that on whom will we test then? How will we create and use medicines?

Dipti: I never thought in this manner. But wait, I have a solution for that too. There are so many criminals in the whole world who commit terrible crimes and are punished just by hanging them or giving them life imprisonment. I am not saying that thieves and other small criminals should be used for testing medicines. Only the ones who murder, who are involved in human trafficking, etc. should be used for testing medicines. Why to torture innocent beings and just hang the wrong doers?

Deeya: You may be right, but do you think anybody likes to become a criminal ,no right? It's the situations that force one to take extreme steps.

Dipti: I have a solution for that too. See, first we will find out the whole history of a criminal and then with the permission of law and consent of decide whether that person must be tested or not.

I think you can the help of PETA i.e. the People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals and suggest them all these things. But for now let's leave for home, I have a lot of homework to do.